A Snake’s Relative
by Sarah Franzblau
Gecko
Simple lizard
Yet people still fear them
Keepers feel overwhelming bliss
My joy
BIO:
I am a senior whose hobbies include learning and tending to animals in a variety of settings and using that passion to create naturalistic ceramic art. As an officer in the Ceramics Guild on campus and in ceramics courses, I get multiple outlets to create and share my love for the art form with others. I also love to play Pickleball and stay active at the gym.
Do you write sporadically or regularly?
I definitely write sporadically, as inspiration does not strike often enough. When it comes to literary pieces or poetry, it takes me longer than when writing short story replies with friends.
How do you resonate with your piece? Why is it personal to you?
This piece is very personal as it shows my love of reptiles to every reader. This poem was the short version of my very long list of reasons to appreciate and get informed on reptiles. I used to have a negative bias, but after starting to work with them and get educated, my whole life’s path changed in the best ways possible.
What message do you hope to convey to the reader through your piece?
I hope to convey the message that geckos and other reptiles do not fit the general media description as aggressive and motivated to hurt humans. This could not be farther from the truth, because most are very sweet, gentle and full of personality! In this piece, I speak of the joys of geckos because after much experience, many gecko species have taken my heart.
