No Chimera Poem by bob eichen

Why can't you have eight arms like an octopus?
Eight legs like a spider?
Why don't you have huge ears and a nose like an elephant?
Quills like a porcupine?
A long neck like a giraffe?
Why can't you hold your breath like a whale?
Sing like a cricket?
Fly like a bat?
Or have a tail like a peacock?
What is wrong with you?

DAD! DAD! DAD!
WHY CAN'T YOU ACCEPT ME THE WAY I AM!
I LIKE THE WAY I AM!

Don't you get smart with me young man!
You just go to your chrysalis.
I mean your cocoon.
I mean your room!
And don't come out
Until
You're
Better!