Now let’s have another try

To love the giant Dragonfly.

 

Stand beside the peaceful water.

Next thing – a whispy, dry clatter

 

And he whizzes to a dead stop

In mid-air, and his eyes pop.

 

Snakey stripes, a snakey fright!

Does he sting? Does he bite?

 

Suddenly he’s gone. Suddenly back. A

Scarey jumping cracker –

 

Here! Right here!

An inch from your ear!

 

Sizzling in the air

And giving you a stare

 

Out of the huge cockpit of his eyes - !

 

Now say: ‘What a lovely surprise!’

 

from the collection ‘The Cat and the Cuckoo’