Beauty and the beholder : Nature's miracles

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