Critterature: Concerning the Crafty Crayfish

By many aliases they're known:
Crawfish, crawdads, mudbugs, yabbies.
They abound in brooks, and streams, and swamps,
As well as roadside ditches and rice paddies.

Their astacology has shown
They prey like scavengers and mobsters,
While some, more taxonomically aloof,
Try hard to pass as mountain lobsters.

Throughout the world as food they're meant,
Both from the wild and from the grocer,
But not as a substitute for meat at Lent
Because they're not considered kosher.

And so the cunning, craven crayfish,
The ones that didn't get away,
End up in boils, or bisques, or soups,
If not served up as étouffés
In swanky overpriced cafés.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Messina Avatar
December 8, 2022 at 2:57 AM
Tasty little bits, you can eat a whole plate of them and still have room for a lobster. Monja! I've also heard them called "Crayfish" Thanks for the informative write, John!
Slaughter Avatar
December 8, 2022 at 12:32 PM
Thanks, Charles, but I'll leave the eating a whole plate of them to you...and I don't care for lobster all that much, either.
Summers Avatar
December 7, 2022 at 11:11 AM
Thanks for elevating the lowly mountain lobster. Not only a great boil ingredient but a good fish bait as well. John
Slaughter Avatar
December 7, 2022 at 1:45 PM
Thanks, John...and I'll take your word for that.
Rodrigues Avatar
December 6, 2022 at 11:59 AM
I don’t like the look of crawfish…lol. Your poem is a beauty! Well done, poet!
Slaughter Avatar
December 6, 2022 at 12:05 PM
Many thanks, Kim. No, they're not none for beauty...are they?
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace