Hungry little carnivore
Hunting on the forest floor.
In guise of a caterpillar
You’re a dedicated killer.
Ripping into captured prey.
Sucking their life force away.
Anywhere that’s moist you’re found,
In leaf-litter, underground.
Under stones and logs you lurk
Engaged in your nefarious work.
Twenty eight to eighty eight
Legs you have. I think it’s great
How those legs bring up the rear
Move in concert with those more near.
Each serried rank in paying heed
Betrays a strong brain taking lead.
Onychophoran, people think,
Represent a living link
From annelid to arthropod.
Well maybe so but one thing’s odd.
Arthropoda are your game.
What did you eat before they came?