a model spinosaurus
(the real thing was enormous
weighed 8 tons
and not much fun
to share an upstairs space with us)

stands by a pen pot
(a repurposed lobster can I got
that’s probably fake
but good to take
the scissors and pencils I use a lot)

waiting for its chance
as my words slowly advance
through the swamp
so it can chomp
on a swordfish or a coelacanth