The Sparrows Sing
(changes in red)I was smitten by your freckled face
and slender form, but not fooled
by your innocent appearance.
I recognised a feisty female lurked
unafraid to fight the girls
from
your territory.
You were a flirt, soon
losingyour virginity to become a mother.
Pursued by two suitors;
a father and son,the junior
nick-named Toy BoyLife's tree is now uprooted - yet
your family foliage is a profusion
of blooms. Toy Boy has moved
into your vacant flat, while
you probably romp with your
first love (his father)
in paradise.
Shrouded in tissue paper,
your frail body is gently laid
in a cardboard coffin.
Beneath the mock orange tree,
I dug deep, where worms and woodlice
prepared soil to receive you.
Lowering the box into earth
a duet of sparrows sing
their lament for you, Lizzie Lulu,
my first Leopard Gecko.
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original lines
one was your rivals son,
nick-named Toy Boy.
I recently posted a poem 'Fascination' about my gecko's great-great grandfather. You can read it
hereI've also found this in the archives about his great-great grandmother.