The Platypus

He's an odd gentlemen, he

With mouth and tail equally heavy,

Like a teeter-totter on land,

Like a missile in the water.

There's venom hidden in him.

His cuteness notwithstanding, I don't

Want to allow my much-loved appendages near,

For he can strike me down.

Intrigued by him, I will not

Discontinue the research, yet

I hesitate –

Imagining the strike.