We can’t stand them. We shrink away from them. We avoid and hate them. We recoil, wince, flinch and grimace when we see them. They are in fact, one of nature’s miracles. And it’s time we change our skewed perceptions towards these harmless creatures. They deserve it.
The crimson orb
beats down on me,
I warily peek
out of my tree,
My little paws possess
a firm grip,
As I embark on my daily trip.
My long tail is prehensile,
You fail to notice, I have my own
unique style,
No matter what you think, I have
no guile,
True, I’m an intriguing arboreal reptile...
My languorous eyes rotate at 180
degrees,
I can spot insects on two opposite
trees,
You now know about my amazing
eyesight,
Yes, I can even see in
ultraviolet light!
You think my colour change seems
impressive
when vultures hunt me for food...
My skin tints when I’m angry or
aggressive
Behold my vibrant hues, that vary according to
my mood.
Try and hold out a cricket to me,
He won’t get away, try as he
might,
My long tongue needs just
0.07seconds,
to flick him right out of your
sight.
I’m as good as any creature can
get,
Thanks to which I’m caught and sold...
And I finally die as a captive
pet,
When I’m around ten years old...
Why do you cringe when u witness
me?
Have I done you any harm?
Don’t I rid you of those annoying
insects,
that make mincemeat of your arm?
I do have feelings, believe it or
not,
When you refuse to see my agony
I have learned to live with it,
though it hurts me a lot,
For I’m a mere reptile, Mother
Nature’s irony...
Give me my due and my joy shall
reach its echelon,
For I'm a stunning and exquisite
creation, the Chameleon.
Picture courtesy : dramatico.com
Picture courtesy : dramatico.com
