Life

My life as a bat

is for hearing

the world.

If I pitch it right

I can hear

just where you are.

If I pitch it right

I can hear inside your body:

the state of your health,

and more, I can hear

into your mind.

Bat death is not listening.

My life as a frog

is for touching

other things.

I’m very moist

so I don’t get stuck

in the water.

I’m very moist

so I can cling

onto your back

for three days

and nights.

Frog death is separation.

My life as an iguana

is for tasting

everything.

My tongue is very fast

because the flavour

of the air is so subtle.

It’s long enough

to surprise

the smallest piece of you

from extremely

far away.

Iguana death is a closed mouth.

-- Jo Shapcott