Cousin to okapis [near] <br />impalas [far] and gnus, <br />Living life extreme, this peer <br />enjoys exclusive views. <br /> <br />Made of 'right stuff', toughened hide <br />prevents veins varicose, <br />Gallops with a room-length stride <br />on fingertips and toes. <br /> <br />Blood is pumped with blinding force <br />to reach his topmost node, <br />Valves and dams must check the course <br />so dipped head won't explode. <br /> <br />Seven bones, each lengthy link <br />adjoins elastic string, <br />After flexing down to drink <br />his head rebounds on spring. <br /> <br />Inches separates his brain <br />from vocal cords soft song, <br />Yet the nerve which joins the twain <br />is sev'ral metres long. <br /> <br />Which is why if lions, proud <br />conspire to goad or chaff, <br />Kicking out, but never loud <br />giraffe is last to laugh.<br /><br />Diane Hine<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/patch-2/
