General Conklin sat upon the lonely island.
Both in that the island was solitary and remote.
She sat for she no longer flew.
She had not lost the ability but the will.
Geese fly in formation, you see?
There had been a second goose,
But not for long and that did not satisfy the requirements.
Instead she camped upon the island
and cared for the residents.
And what residents there were!
The ants marched in file and rank
Building, renewing, and dreaming.
The beetles scurried to and fro
Seemingly in chaos, yet purposefully.
The butterflies danced among the bushes
Giving breezes to caterpillars sunbathing.
The mice burrowed in their communities
(They were the coziest of the lot and the friendliest).
The bunnies sprinted from one spot to the next
Teasing and playing and daring a smile.
And the salamanders were left to their lonesome,
Which was indeed their preference!
The General was a good General.
She mostly sat, but simply her presence
bolstered the entire island to thrive.
Should you anger her however,
The hissing was simply terrifying.
This fearsome defense kept away the Salricht.
A mysterious creature that lurked in the water.
No beast had ever seen its true form
Those too close were never seen again either.
But it feared Conklin,
so the Salricht never dared breach the beach.
Other birds would visit telling tales
The inhabitants would get to expand their world
Even if only in thought.
General Conklin would stand guard
Gazing Southward to see both sun rise and set.
She too would then fly.
If only in her mind.
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