Poetic License: ‘Return of the Snowy Plover’
(Poem found on Sanibel Beach)
(To the tune of “I’m Looking Over a Four-leaf Clover”)
Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.
– Mark Twain
I’m the snowy plover someone looked over
And I’ve been overlooked before –
That mound of feathers was not my remains,
Along with the shells and Diet-Cola stains.
The reason I’m remaining might need explaining –
I lie dead flat on the shore,
So when someone looks over a snowy plover
I’m just not there anymore.
This two ounce rover found a new male plover
And built another nest on the shore –
Tourists will search on the sand in vain,
We’re safely tucked under seaweed and rain.
No need for redemption or wildlife protection
From what grim future lies in store –
No one’s looking over this snowy plover
Someone overlooked before.