I Met A Child Poem by Alan balter

I Met a Child

I met a ‘gator near the equator
Out in the sunny hot weather
He was terrified at the thought of his hide
Becoming expensive shoe leather

I met a leopard eyeing a shepherd
And drooling over his flock
He was unsure as to whether his fur
Wouldn't soon be a rich lady's frock

I met an elephant who thought it was relevant
To hide away after dusk
He hated to think it, but some folks like a trinket
Carved right out of his tusk

I met a child out in the wild
Searching around at dawn
"Where are they? " he asked with a tear in his eye
"Where have all the animals gone? "