Sea Monster


from the ABC set An Illustrated Compendium of London Monsters

The city lights, they beckoned me
Even the smog and the muck appealed
So I packed up my monster belongings
And ventured further afield

I arrived at Kings Cross on the 10.33
Having hidden atop the old, clanking train
My great scaly body escaped unnoticed
And I braved the wind and the rain

I wandered the streets for a night or two
And for a while it all felt quite exciting
But in my great monster heart, I started to miss
The sea – the storms and the lightning

Then on day three I spied something familiar!
A memory from my home by the sea
A domed roof, some railings, a huge window
And a light, which flashed nightly, just for me

I scaled the building no problem
Used the rubbish to make a nice nest
Almost fancied I heard the roar of the sea
I roared back – one of my best!

There’s no light in this London lighthouse though
Nor friendly bearded humans who wave
I miss the salt water, the fish and the birds
But most of all, I just miss my cave.

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