DRAGONFLY

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!’

Ted Hughes