GinkGo, Panther!

Don Stewart —

One bright and lazy day, Toucan 
Alarmed his friend the Panther: 
“It’s time to get you up!” he cried, 
And waited for an answer. 
 
And waited. Then he tried again 
To wake her with his cries, 
And shook his branch and sang until 
She opened up her eyes. 
 
“You’ve got to go! Get up! Get out! 
Go run and chase your prey!” 
“I do not want to go,” she said. 
Now please, just go away.” 
 
Toucan was having none of this, 
And shook the tree limb harder. 
“You must be up and catching things, 
Replenishing your larder!” 
 
“You really must excuse me, 
But I’ve no desire to go. 
I’d rather find a sunny spot 
To watch the ginkgoes grow.” 
 
“What nonsense,” said the Toucan. 
“You are not right in the head! 
It’s time to get you up to go. 
You should be gone,” he said. 
 
“You should be up and on the prowl, 
And hunting, should you not? 
You’ve everything a cat should want. 
What has a ginkgo got?” 
 
“I love the way they pose themselves, 
With leaves like paper fans. 
They move with easy elegance: 
A breeze can make them dance.”  
 
“I’ve heard enough,” the Toucan sneered. 
“I first thought you were lazy. 
But now that you’ve explained yourself,  
I’m certain you're just crazy!  
 
“You should be exercised by now, 
And panting to a wheeze. 
Instead you’re lounging in the shade 
Admiring ginkgo trees. 
 
“It’s time to leave those trees behind! 
It’s not like they will miss you. 
But if you like ginkgoes so much, 
Why not just take one with you?” 
 
The cat considered this advice, 
Then gave her friend an answer. 
(She did not want Toucan to think 
Her an ungrateful panther.) 
 
“I truly do appreciate 
Your energetic rant. 
But ginkgoes do not go,” she said. 
“And panthers do not pant.”