The Dugong (For Unionmaid who loves them…)

The Dugong, like the Manatee, dines on grass beneath the sea
But Dugongs, unlike Manatees, mostly stay in salty seas
Being more purely salty creatures, that is simply one of their features.

Their tail has fluke, like those of dolphins and whales
And they have no shell, unlike sea snails
(Which has no bearing on the poem at all; I just threw it in to more enthral)

Though their tails are much like the mammals named above
They are closer rellies to the elephant – which we all love.
Which amazing fact, you peeps, I shall expect you all to keeps. Precisely.

Manatees are closest cousins, probably only number dozens.
Which is bad of man, evil of man, stupid of man, just like man.
What more can I say? Oh, I can go on all day.

Poor Sea Cow, poor little mermaid, you live in dangerous times, I’m afraid.
But you have your champions, and with a little luck,
when you see a jet ski, you’ll learn to duck…

Poor little Sea Cow, poor old Dugong, I wish I could write a better song.
You deserve such a great song, so sweet and pure, a song that would simply ooze allure.
So much so that it would ring in every soul of every one and no-one would ever buy a jet-ski or ride one ever again for fear of their innards being turned outwards by enraged Dugong supporters who got out of bed on the wrong side and weren’t in the mood to be patient with idiots. Or something like that.

“Going, going, Dugong”. (Jeremy Tager)