Writing from the stemistry lab
Ordinary as you like
by Rachel Cunliffe
Vertical speed and self-repairing
half gecko, half human, the public gasps
thinking it's suckers and vacuum I use.
Ignorants! I see hidden grooves by touch
with fine hairs on my pads. Then stick.
A mad hungry puppy pawed my tail
watchers watched in horror when the tail turned stump
pointy end worming on the floor
then still. Bewildered, the puppy ate it, not me
before it re-grew I climbed again.
When I enter a room, on any number
or combination of limbs, with or without my tuxedo,
One or two heads turn. My tail embellishes this swagger.
I try to shake 'hands'. Smooth grasping finger ends
surround my bulbous digits. They say
My, you are almost as smart as velcro!