Children's Book

Took pride in growing up this alligator:
Swim here, my five-inch friend, then to your cage.
And though I loved him then, I knew that later
He'd be too tough to care for in old age.

As week and week went by, he grew until
His thrashing mass (which threw me all about)
Could crawl all walls and slither round to fill
The biggest space I had. Sad day! I threw him out.

My parents don't believe me, and they say:
"How could something so big just get away?"

I think that he's still near, and since he's free
He's found the room for grace in his cold heart.
He's warm-blooded enough to forgive me
And keep me safe, his human counterpart!

August 10