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By Linda W. Curtis

A flea and a fly in a flue,
Were stuck in some gooey glue.
Said the flea, let us chew it.
Said the fly, let’s drool on it,
‘til it moistens and frees up the goo.

Now, the fly called the flea a fool,
Cause chewing might not rid the glue,
while a drool made it gummy,
and might even taste yummy.
While the chew was dry as a shoe.

Well, the flea and a fly had a spat,
Argued ‘til approached by a gnat.
“I’ve got the tools, if you set new rules.
I’ll free up the glue where you sat.”

So, finally freed, they both agreed,
To be better friends, and included the gnat.
Said the flea, “Let us fly.”

Said the fly “Let us flee,”
And they flew with the gnat out the flue.

(Inspired by Ogden Nash’s poem)

— Linda W. Curtis

Linda W. Curtis is a botanist who has written extensively about Carex sedge plants in books and scientific articles.