The Hairy Beast

The Hairy Beast.

Afloat upon this inland sea.
A book of verse is in my hand.
The sun, the sky, the raft, and me.
No ripple stirs the shoreline sand.

When out the corner of my eye--
A zigging zagging hairy beast.
It is the dreaded black horsefly—
My bright red blood to be its feast.

I raise my book up in the air,
I’ll strike it as it passes near.
I swing, I miss, don’t touch a hair--
It circles back, it shows no fear.

Between my blades so feather light
It settles for a blind attack.
It takes a nip. With all my might I trash about---
But it is back!

The sky now blue with curse and scream--
The sun is hot, the sweat does pour--
The raft more like a prison seems--
And waves are crashing on the shore.

As with the plight of desperate men
I’ll offer up a body part.
I set the festive meal and then--
I’ll smash its head, its wings, its heart.

Oh, what is this? He’s on my nuts.
He’s gonna bite me where I pee!
Some people say I have no guts –
I raise my verse--- I smash all three.

FXK