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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Exotic (08/08/13)
It’s just another early morning
My tongue flicks out to taste the rain
Something’s different, can’t quite grasp it
Too much for my ‘gator brain

The plastic prison walls have vanished
Lush and lavish plants surround
A pool of water filled with fishes
A 'gator’s paradise I’ve found!

Where is Kevin with his acne?
The beat from music played too loud?
Who are these men dressed in yellow
Stood before a panicked crowd?

I see a lady garbed in purple
Swoon into another’s arms
I try to smile, my teeth displaying
It seems they don’t perceive my charms

A net and pole are waved before me
Like sword and shield to dragon foe
I’m not entirely sure what’s happening
Or where these men would have me go

I squint but cannot read the notice
“Botanical Gardens” in bold, black print
I look around and swish my tail
Into the foliage I sprint

The plants provide a perfect cover
Labelled all with Latin names
My ‘gator heart explodes with joy
As liberation flames

I like this place and hate my prison
I vow that I will not be caught
Into a small and confined space
I cannot now be brought

The men in yellow soon pursue me
Boldly toss their 'gator net
There is no time for turning “native”
I’ve lived too long as someone’s pet

A chip concealed beneath my hide and
Kevin’s name is soon revealed
A fine and a suspended sentence
An outcome that is not repealed

This small, exotic alligator
Never should have been a pet
That day I lost my baby cuteness
Kevin felt intense regret

He hatched a plan with his friend, Eric
The “gardens” were the perfect place
An open window, lots of pushing
Mine a new life to embrace

It seems that I soon was adopted
By the zoo just out of town
I miss my moment in the “gardens”
And dream I’m there when I lay down
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This article has been read 1033 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Linda Goergen
08/16/13
Great message in this poem! Never keep a wild animal as a pet, it is so unfair to the animal! Wild animals should be left to have the freedom to be what God created them to be, not confused caged beings! I like how you wrote this from the perspective of the alligator; it made the message more powerful. Well done.
Judith Gayle Smith-Owens Vitouswykegardinerclark
08/20/13
First time I ever wanted to sit and discourse the alligator dialect. What a sweetheart! Obviously he has no idea why his unique cuteness doesn't charm anymore. I am glad he wasn't flushed down the toddy - but what tales he could tell! Loved this!
C D Swanson 
08/20/13
This was so different! I really liked it.

Thanks. God bless~
Linda Buskirk
08/20/13
So cute! I enjoyed reading it.
Noel Mitaxa 
08/27/13
I this a true story - or just an 'alligation?' Very cleverly snd descriptively created work. Well done.