Well, weary walrus Walter
really couldn’t take a rest,
though he was pretty heavy
and broad across the chest;
he longed to flop down anywhere
and have a lengthy break!
but then he’d faint from panic
that he’d sit upon a snake!
No, Walter’d never seen a snake,
but once he’d read a book;
how could a creature have no legs?
or hang upon a hook?
How could a fellow take his length,
and tie it in a knot?
How could that fellow sleep at all?
his head just might get caught!
Poor Walter’s fear had grown so great,
and brought his mind so low
he’d not sat down for thirteen years,
just stood on tippy-toe!
The truth is, they weren’t toes at all
but flippers, fins, or flaps.
And they were pretty sore by now,
and needed cotton wraps!
But cotton’s pretty hard to find
in frozen Nordic seas
if Walt could kneel, that might be nice,
but Walter had no knees.
Alas, there was no answer, friend!
So Walter was just stuck.
No Doctor or Psychologist!
Walt had no such luck.
He’d give up sleep forever!
Keep watch at dawn and dusk!
He’d never wake to greet a snake,
all wound around his tusk!
Well, every person has a fear,
and every creature, too.
But, Walter was a bit too stressed.
What would you have him do?
Every tree has roots
and every mountain has a base.
Good thing Walter had his flaps,
or he’d be on his face!
The flaps were frozen solid though.
Frozen flaps can’t feel.
Life was just a ten-foot freeze.
Now that’s a crummy deal!
Well, Walter’s friends had flippers too.
Working ones, what’s more.
Thirteen years was just too much,
so they showed Walt ‘the door’.
They pried him loose, then formed a wall,
and all began to heave.
Their walrus muscles really worked,
for Walt began to leave!
They rolled his massive, frozen self,
and pushed it out to float
Upon an icy platform perch
that functioned as a boat.
‘We love you Walt! But you need change!
We’ve set you out to sail!’
Walt waved his frozen flaps, and cried,
and thumped his walrus tail
He bawled so hard, he fell asleep!
For three-years-and-a-half!
He woke up in Antarctica!
Still floating on his raft!
Well, Walt began to live again.
He loved his normal life!
He bathed, and flopped, and fell in love!
And almost got a wife.
But woe! A friendly bird named Bill
brought trouble to this tale.
Why DID he have to meet that bird?
Why not a trout, or whale?
Bill could read. He had a book.
He shared it once a year.
Only with his best, best friend.
But in that book, lived Fear.
Walt was Bill’s most special friend.
And ‘once a year’ was now.
‘Walt, I own a precious book.
Please keep it safe and sound.’
Walt couldn't stop his eyes and ears!
He looked, as Bill had said.
But soon he wished that he’d been rude,
and closed his eyes or fled!
The precious book revealed some news
that Walt had never heard
Remember, friend, when you’re in doubt,
to never trust a bird.
Walt’s lying with his feet up now,
flaps flying in the air.
He never bathes, or stands, or hunts,
but Walter doesn’t care.
He’ll just keep watch from dawn to dusk!
It’s now been seven years.
The mystery book has opened
and awakened unknown fears!
His toes would never be a snack
for gnawing, nibbling beasts!
He wouldn't let his flaps provide
a filling, tasty feast!
He’d never seen those things before!
His whiskers nearly curled!
He knows he’ll never sleep again
WHILE MICE ARE IN THE WORLD!
