by Linda Ann Nickerson

Created on: June 24, 2008

THE MANATEE OF VANITY

Behold the sea cow, manatee,
A model for humanity.
Beneath the boats
He freely floats
With no plea of insanity.

His heritage, if it be so,
Meanders in the depths below.
A life marine
As he comes clean,
Is all that he may ever know.

Appearances don't bother him,
No fashion line can make him thin.
For he cares not
Of blemish, spot,
And he knows comfort in his skin.

This frequent flyer fairly floats,
Deterred not by the summer boats.
His open eyes
Prevent surprise,
Perhaps someday we'll all take notes.

Till then, we fret and pace and strut;
We exercise to firm the gut.
We primp our smiles
And don our styles
For picture-perfect who knows what.

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