Chameleon Poem by Chukwuebuka Adebayo

Over Africa, On a windy winter,
That downpour afore september;
Which frightened at manifold time,
Many dew-traces are yet on earth;
It be chimps, rodent's pretty clime,
When the woods were dried for hearth.

Scooted I, on that rough lanes,
Likeas grubs, Humming cloy tunes;
Lo! Came my way, A noble chameleon,
He stripp'd out quietly amid crevices;
I stood buried in fear, maybe I go on
Glittering as jewellery refined thrice;


Wondered I, If him be royal king of gulf,
His visage greener than unripped stuff;
Winking his gladless eyes in its spheres,
That flashed as strokes of demented thunder;
Lifted `s heavy head marred of herpes,
Slowly, Drew it back, Up and nether.

Perchance, he meant to greet me,
Or share a smear of his sad life with me?
If as he was betray'd by a brother,
Through his heart, a zeal blazed;
Speak to me, even your lips are bitter;
His wordless mouth mildly disclosed;
Like that an old man would spit,
I Know thy shardy tongue's full of wit;
But you look apale and suffer rash......
He looked at me and plodded he apace,
Why you do chose to live as pariah?
Shall I inquire of things in your grace? .

_____Why that way, O noble chameleon?
why this clever manner, why yon?
Within mine thoughts I queried,
Do own you duo, or spare life?
Are legs hurt in thorns of weed,
Or brutally trod on a large knife? .

For I see your heart full of hollow,
You conceive all ground as shallow;
Jeck! and so tread it with best care___
But of this no man shall take heed,
Is there no one on earth, you fear?
Go away, Go to your nest in the reed,
Climb high and cloak in crest of yew,
For other ruthless man may kill you,
Or kick you away like a filthy cur,
Come someday, wise man of sedge;
Among all crawlings in the Pasture,
You are wisest, If wise sons of men judge.