Less Robust

NUTMEG MANNIKIN

It isn’t over until the fat lady roosts

Or the bear wakes

Or the bat salivates or excretes.

Domesticated and smaller-brained

We sing elaborate songs now

That we have learnt from troubadours.

And prone to over-eating

We poison ourselves with sugar

That to the bear would be a little something.

And the bat which became immune

Coping with the stress of flight

Now hosts a crucible of viral spells.

Trills and warbles, bright and varied

The society finches are easy care

 Though less robust than the scaly-breasted.