When I Was Out Walking…

When I was out walking,

I met a girl named Cat.

She had ears as pointed as the pyramids.

She was always alert.

I met a man named Peacock.

He had a beak as sharp as a tent peg.

He had eyes as smooth as the surface of a pond and

vibrant feathers that he flashed from side to side

as though he was fanning someone.

I met a woman named Snow Leopard.

She had sapphire-blue eyes that were deep and mysterious

but still twinkled with the joy, understanding and

fun of being a feline. She had a tail as long as an anaconda

and markings that made her look as if she had won

hundreds of rosettes.

I met a girl named Jaguar.

She was strong as a dump truck and had

muscles that rippled under her beautiful,

golden spotted coat that gleamed in the sun.

She glided through the water, illuminous gold

against clear liquid and sunk her fangs into the armoured plates of a crocodile!

I met a woman named Tree.

She was 20 feet tall and had oak-brown hair with a tinge of green,

that was rough as tree bark.

She had a little nest of baby ********

that lived there and chirped all day.

I met a man named Thought.

He was hunched as a question mark

and had eyes as definite as a full stop.

I met a girl named Fish.

She had scintillating, chintz scales

that reflected dancing rainbow light.

She had round, glazed eyes that

have seen horrific things, such as

humans dragging their long, death-nets

through the sea towards the frantic, flitting, fish,

as the waves roared in protest.

I met Life.

Everything from the first

breath of a tiny new born kitten

to a tidal wave and a tornado.

Life is the centre of attention,

sprawling on the earth and being

selfish.

But then, what would we do without it?