Random Doggerel, 30

Random Doggerel

Misnamed, 20: Tiger Lily

We know that Tiger Lily was

A character in Peter Pan,

But it’s a puzzler, too, because,

It is a flower, named by man.

Are things more contradictory

Than flowers and that fearsome cat?

The one is lovely, we can see;

The other eats you, nothing flat!

Oh, contradictions flow through time—

And some are puzzling—some a hoot—

Some tigers kill you for a dime—

Some flowers bound to stalk and root.

Random Doggerel, 29

Random Doggerel

Misnamed, 19: Swan Goose

Make up your mind! Do you know birds?

Or are you simply out of words?

How can your language be so loose

To call a swan, instead, a goose?

Or maybe it’s a goose for real?

And not a swan? How do you feel

When someone calls you Bob, not Burt?

Oh, don’t you feel a little hurt?

Random Doggerel, 28

Random Doggerel

Misnamed, 18: skunk bear

A pleasant pair our series brings—

You have no choice but to agree:

A creature that can eat such things

Like you and (sadly), yes, like me.

And add to him that smelly dude,

Who thickens air with funky gas.

I mean, is there a thing more rude

Than spoiling air—when will it pass!

Random Doggerel, 27

Random Doggerel

Misnamed, 18: Rhinoceros Beetle

Now this is one I’d like to see!

A beetle with a horn, I guess?

Though I confess it seems to me

That wouldn’t be too scary, yes?

Unless, of course, you’re smaller! Then

That beetle must look awesome, Yo.

Enough to scare a bug named Ken—

Who’ll run as fast as Ken can go.

Random Doggerel, 26

Random Doggerel

Misnamed, 17: scorpion fly

Now this one kind of creeps me out—

A scorpion that flies!

And when he lands and stings, I guess

The stung one ups and dies?

You need a tennis racket as

You deal with bugs in skies.

I smack some tennis balls, of course,

But also scary flies!

Random Doggerel, 25

Random Doggerel

Misnamed, 15: rat terrier

A rat that is a dog—a dog that is a rat.

Oh, there is something wrong with that!

The one is a most valued pet;

The other? Well, I wouldn’t bet

That lots of people kiss their rats—

I don’t hear all those smooches, splats

That come from homes where rats abide.

(Who knows what’s going on inside?)

Yes, dogs are far more loved, I think.

And rats? Not valued like a mink!

Random Doggerel, 24

Random Doggerel, 23

Misnamed, 14: mouse deer

Now this one really makes no sense—

A critter that’s both mouse and deer?

I mean, the picture is not very clear

Of this—but maybe I’m just dense?

So is the deer so very small?

Or is the mouse so very big?

And how did Nature ever rig

A thing that is both short and tall?!