Sharp Teeth, Sharper Tongue

by Bob Perelman

Once a nimble nanny goat
ate all the shoots

of a vine
but still the vine

spoke back,
Nibble,

detestable beast,
nibble as close

as your fat teeth
can reach.

My stem
is intact

and will make
new leaves, fruit, and more

than enough wine
to baste you nicely

when you are sacrificed.

[from the Greek Anthology, Leonidas of Tarentum]