Animal poems - Platypus

NOTE: This page is a daughter page of: Animal poems

Platypus

     ... quirky, energetic, surprising

The duck billed platypus, an icon and mystery.
The poet of the waterways, ancient ties in history.

With feet like otter, and a tail wide and flat.
The first rumors of you, seemed fiction not fact.

With a bill like a duck, a mammal that lays eggs.
And the males sporting a venomous spur, on both their hind legs.

Scientists first thought you a hoax, but I have only admiration.
For your playfulness and spirit, an iconic Australian.

In gurgling creeks, and down mossy alleys,
Your streamline body swims, in pristine forest valleys.

Darting over the creek bed for food, using your bill to explore.
Your tenacity and energy, is hard to ignore.

But when you curl up in your creek-side den, and finally get fluffy dry.
You snuggles are legendary, down with your hatchings you lie.

The male can be aggressive, but the female I would hug.
Although wet and restless, I feel you are full of love.

A quirky little creature, you are adored by all.
The scientists in me is fascinated, but as a human watching you.
.... it is in love.... that I will fall.

Be free little platypus, and know the glimpses you I’ve had of you in the wild, will last as some of the most magical moments in my life.

            -- by Andrew Noske

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About this Poem... Animal: Platypus Description/motivation: This is a poem about an Australian icon! Few people realize it lays eggs (one of two types of "monotreme" - egg laying marsupials - the other being echidnas) and the male has poisonous spurs on it's back legs that apparently are one of the most painful stings known to man. Enough that you would consider chopping your arm off! So yes, I wanted to put a little fact in the poem, but still make it playful and reflect the fact I love this animal. Seeing a platypus in the wild is incredible. Most likely it's just a fleeting view as it plays in the water... you see more of the ripples in the water than the platypus itself, but it's always magical. This is one in a serious of poems I've written about various animals. The motivation, is that I love the idea of spirit animals, and I decided, one day, to ask many of my friend what animal they think best represents their personality. In some cases the poems are written with the person in mind... and sometimes it's purely about the animal. Read more about my process here. If you love this poem or want another written please e-mail me at . :-)