A Case of the Crabs

in a tide pool in a rocky shore
Crabella, the mother crab so big and fat
lived happily with her crablings three
bringing them up by the sparkling sea

she was a good mother who provided
her crablings with love and sustenance
she always gave them good advice
to respect others of sea, air and land

she admonished them to walk
with pride, head held high sure and true
ignore all evil walk the straight and narrow
though her crablings were always baffled

mother dear, they said in three tones
we love you but you don’t walk straight
and your eyes look at the skies
you can’t even hold a baseball bat      

you walk sideways with claws up
as if you’re giving perpetual obeisance
to one who might just serve you up
on a plate with dip of chili and mint

Mother Crab was quite insulted
ungrateful little crabs she thought
she gathered them around her
and started her fantastic tale

once a long time ago in the ocean
I served a mermaid Queen
In her room as wardrobe mistress  
Creating dresses for her in all fashion

You don’t walk away from a queen
you see, you back away after you curtsey
as I always stood at the corner
I had to move sideways discreetly

Years of serving cramped my joints
now they all twisted and bent
years of sliding made me as I am
now I am stiff, even my eyes bug out

The crablings didn’t know what to say
their mother had more adventures
and fantastic tales to share
accepted her for what she shared

They giggled at their mother’s sideway gait
laughed as she scuttled in a sideway dance
and together they ran around happily
scrabbling sideways as their mother did.

 

 
In the whispering shallows,
where the waves kiss the shore,
small crabs emerge  
from sandy burrows,
their new world, shells shining,
legs prepared for adventure,  
walk sideways,
an ancient rhythmic dance.
 
Their pincers,  
like miniature swords,
exercised with grace,
as they cross the beach,
a procession of side steps,
each leg a compass needle,
pointing to the horizon,
In search of hidden secrets
under sun-kissed grains.
 
The sand yields
for their determined march,
a printed changeable screen
with delicate features,
and the crabs, oh, the crabs!
They know their way,
navigating life's coastal maze
with unwavering purpose.
 
The eyes, round and watchful,
catch glimpses of the tide  
as it recedes,
revealing treasures in your wake,
shells, pieces of seaweed,
and forgotten dreams.
All waiting to be claimed
by these side walkers.
 
They pass castles
built by children's hands.
Their claws brush
against towers of imagination
and when the moon rises,
fusing silver threads.
The crabs gather,
a silent congregation
under the starlight.
 
Their side trip continues,
a timeless ballet,
through rocky outcrops  
and hidden coves,
they leave no stone unturned,
no unexplored crevice,
their hearts beating sideways
to the rhythm of the sea.
 
And so, dear reader,
next time you walk  
along the coast,
look closely at the sand,
where little trails intersect,
because there,  
in the dance of the crabs,
you will find a story
of side trips,
whispered by the waves.

The Great Decapod Crustacean War

General Clawdius Herman Shellby Pincer VIII stood on the rock
He had come from a long line of warriors since the Jurassic era
His family were more defined by their extra thick exoskeletons
Their species are one the longest living creatures on planet Terra

An army of a million crabs had gathered there in the ocean floor
Ready to go to war as General Pincer VIII encouraged the troops
He spoke to platoons, sergeants, chieftains, captains and crabtains
Advising that the enemy is fast and catches them in groups

“Use your hooks soldiers” General Pincer VIII told all the crabs
“Cut their nets, slash their mesh, sever their necks, trash their flesh
Do whatever it takes to bring down their giant machines soldiers
We have always been at war because the enemy want us fresh”

And as he spoke giant nets started sweeping the ocean floor
Some crabs started clawing, sawing at the nettings from above
The crustaceans fought from their positions and crust stations
Knowing that in this battle they would never show any love

General Pincer VIII was captured by a fishing boat and taken far
And once on land as he was being thrown into a tank he escaped
The head chef had never seen such a crabby mad crab taking jabs
They had never seen such an old crustacean ready to box and scrape

Scientists were called because General Pincer VIII was unique
He was one of the oldest living species found on the ocean floor
Now any who enters the aquarium can see his fighting spirit
He’s always walking sideways screaming “Come at me Bro!”