Deadly Poisonous Creatures

[Two holidaying men are lying on the sand of an Australian beach.  Despite weeks of lazing in the sun, both men are pale.]

Bruce: My skin itches; a drowsy numbness pains

my limbs, as though in thistles I had rolled:

attacked I was by fierce, venomous frogs.

The vicious things were crazed and sans remorse!
Wherefore, I ask, doth this odd, fearsome land
allow within these foul amphibians?

Kev: That’s nothing.  I was just nibbling on some

of this supposedly fine octopus

but ’twas not safe, ’twas poisonous!  Therefore,

I go, quite peeved, to everlasting rest,

and shake the taste of indigestible,

world-wearying flesh.  Mine eyes, look your last.  

[Both men expire.]

For the entire brief tragedy, see “Encountering Venomous Frogs and Poisonous Octopus” at the all right, all right blog.