Killer shrimp Sea locusts Thumb splitters

tiny aggressive monsters to be avoided and feared

with more weapons

in our arsenal than should

be permitted any predator

with spiked tails and raptorial front claws

and an assortment of appendages that strike

smash stab spear and stun prey and intruders

into our territories and burrows as fast

as an accelerating bullet

able to crack easily through crabs and clam shells

able to regenerate damaged body parts

able to see anything with the most complex eyes

in the animal kingdom

and our females laying up to 50,000 eggs.

 

Who could have designed

such a devastating little monster so perfect

for survival in oh so many ways destined

to live forever or at least

until the mighty oceans themselves

dry up and cease to be.