Quick Quick Slow
#1 of Poetry
Quick, Quick, Slow
My name is Slim and I have a problem:
You would too if you felt like me.
I don't expect you to understand it,
But hear me out; that'll do for me.
Look at me, I've a long thin body,
I have no legs, for goodness' sake,
So I suppose I should think it nat'ral
That children think I'm a blasted snake.
But pay attention for once and listen.
Better yet, take a look up here:
Yes, there, that's right, where my face curves onward,
Though it ain't much cop, it is still an ear.
Oh you may blink at a talking lizard--
That I am, as you all should know;
And I'll blink too: snakes can't do that either:
They don't have eyelids like me and you.
So please, please, please won't you understand me?
I'm not a snake; I'm a smooth Slow-worm.
Anguis fragilis -- and I won't go quietly:
Unlike my scales, my views are firm.