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See also [[The snail let us now contemplate]].
Transcription
Ode to a Snail
The snail let us now contemplate,
A "bloke" unhurried in his gait
Though he proceeds by monoskate,
Herbiverous yet not ungulate.
The snail by no means is a dope,
Invented he the periscope,
He climbs a tree, but not a rope.
When things are dry inclined to mope
When hostile Homo Sapiens
Approaches him in No. tens,
Says snail "For these I have no yens"
Dismissed are they as awful wens.
If danger threats he can instanter
Turn on a gastropodous canter,
He pauses not for idle banter,
Or e'en a Communistic ranter.
He will not smoke a cigarette,
But chews a quid of mignonette
Regarding peas he says "You bet
I take my toll of human sweat."
Perchance whilst browsing on potato
He ponders on the words of Plato,
Reflects on the life of Cato
Or verbal flatulence at NATO.
Since long ago decided he
To dwell no longer in the sea
But on dry land to have a spree,
Exchanging rum for leaf of tea.
In spite of all, you please will note,
The snail does not possess a vote;
He has no pants, he has no coat
And, consequentiy, gets the goat.
Poor snail! Will none with welcome greet him?
The British crush, the Frenchmen eat him;
So I alone will wish snail welL,
Though gardeners him consign to Hell.
14th May, 1949 H.A.H.