So large is the African hippopotamus
A single one makes a river over-populous.
"One hippo is company" they say aloud
"Two hippos ? ... A crowd ! "
Although touristy and popular
The hippo's not jovial or jocular.
It remains silent and in stasis
As though under hipponosis.
A hippopotamus is rarely if ever emotional.
Melodramatic hippos are purely notional.
The hippo hallmark is a marked reticence
To display feelings of guilt or innocence.
I have it in good authority from a ranger
That an upset hippo poses a danger.
If you ever give a hippo a hoick
It is unlikely to remain stoic.
A man who once tried to tease a hippo
Found that was no way to please a hippo.
Another who tried to stimulate it with books
Now happens to emulate its looks.
The hippopotamus to us is pure mystery !
What are its hobbies ? What's its history ?
Does it care about its habitat being in a mess ?
On current evidence , it couldn't care less.
About the musical tastes of the hippopotamus
Not very much is known to us.
Does it prefer classical , jazz , or pop ?
Perhaps just a little Hippo Hop.
(Inspired by the one and only Ogden Nash)
(c) Bhaskar Khaund
