Zyzzyva

en.wikipedia.org

The Last Word

I never saw a zyzzyva,

its habitat sub-tropic;

but I’ve been told it’s beastly, bold,

its mercies microscopic.

It spends its days in baneful ways

devouring field and garden;

you can be sure this epicure

won’t beg the palm tree’s pardon.

With frightful mien, it can be seen

attacking jacaranda;

it loves to chew on new bamboo –

a match for any panda.

It has a greed for guava seed,

for pepper and papaya;

an orchid shoot will always suit

this ravenous pariah.

No Hall of Fame displays its name,

no Air Miles Plan rewards it;

and Webster thinks the weevil stinks,

but, in the end, records it.

© Catherine Chandler.  First publishesd in Umbrella, Spring 2007