The Neon Blades of Xochimilco

Xochimilco (sow·chee·meel·kow)
Axolotl (ak·suh·laa·tl)
Mixcoatl (Meesh-KOH-ahtl)

Five axolotls limin’ in the lake
A carp came over and told them they looked weird
Said Axolotl One, who goes by Mixcoatl,
“Shut up your mouth. You look like a mosquito.”

Then, the tilapia, as invasive as the carp,
waved his fin and declared with a bark,
“We’re claiming Xochimilco …
Putting down stakes …
Get out of here with your ridiculous face.”

Little did the carp and tilapia know
The axolotls’ gills
Aren’t just for cheap thrills

Those gills transformed into bioluminescent blades
Sharp and shiny in the murky shade

The axolotls smirked, their fins aglow
Mixcoatl said, “You thought we’d roll over? Oh no, no, no.”
In military formation, they advanced with a chant,
“As above, not so below. Die foe.”

With flicks, and lashes, and blinding splashes
Blades flashed, fins slashed, water thrashed
The tilapias tried to run
For the carps, this takeover was no longer fun
Everyone got their heads spun
The lake ignited, neon red—
Light swirling
Blood whirling

With the invaders dead
The axolotls went back to chillin’
Before going off to bed

Grounded

In the deluge, a bee took refuge
Landing on my windowpane

Hello! I’ve never seen you before
will I see you again

I’ve stopped by momentarily
to get out of the storm. I’m
behind my quota
and along with the rain
the wind is not warm

Play a song while you wait

That! And your company
I’d appreciate! But …
Flight of the Bumblebee
would be most inappropriate