Sharp Teeth, Sharper Tongue
by Bob Perelman
Once a nimble nanny goat
ate all the shoots
of a vine
but still the vine
spoke back,
Nibble,
detestable beast,
nibble as close
as your fat teeth
can reach.
My stem
is intact
and will make
new leaves, fruit, and more
than enough wine
to baste you nicely
when you are sacrificed.
[from the Greek Anthology, Leonidas of Tarentum]