THE CHAMELEON

I found this cute little chameleon in a tank at the visitor center at Meadowlark Gardens.  He seemed to be happy that it was Spring and he was enjoying his exercise!  I found him totally mesmerizing as he moved ever so slowly along the small branch, his eyes swiveling in every direction, independently of each other.  They can rotate almost 360 degrees.  A lot of action!  Amazing little thing.  He is only a few inches long and seemed to be shedding its skin.  I know nothing of chameleons but I really enjoyed watching this one for a while.  

The Chameleon
by Sir Alan Patrick Herbert

The chameleon changes his color,
He can look like a tree or a wall.
He is timid and shy and he hates to be seen,
So he simply sits down on the grass and grows green,
And pretends he is nothing at all.

I wish I could change my complexion
To purple or orange or red.
I wish I could look like the arm of a chair,
So nobody ever would know I was there
When they wanted to put me to bed.

I wish I could be a chameleon
And look like a lily or rose.
I'd lie on the apples and peaches and pears,
But not on Aunt Margaret's yellowy chairs.
I should have to be careful of those.

The chameleon's life is confusing;
He is used to adventure and pain,
But if he ever sat on Aunt Maggie's cretonne
And found what a curious color he'd gone,
I don't think he'd do it again.

~~~~~~~

I am linking with the following memes, with my thanks to Jesh (Seasons), Linda Kay (Wednesday, Wit and Wisdom) and N.C. Sue (Wordless (onTuesday) at Image-in-ing) for hosting such wonderful memes.

To see other participants you can click on the names of each meme below.

Seasons

Wednesday Wit and Wisdom

Wordless (on Tuesday) at Image-in-ing