Bob the Bug was my attempt to write a poem about taste, kind of like Mr Brown Can Moo, Can You? by Dr Seuss, which is a rhyming story about making sounds.  I needed a character, so I decided Bob the Bug had a cute ring to it.  I just couldn’t keep him reigned in though; he got himself into trouble, and I had a narrative poem on my hands again.  I can’t seem to write an interesting conceptual piece no matter how hard I try.

I’d love to hear what you think about the ending!  My daughter thinks there should be other bugs in the bin who work together to open the lid and escape.  For the sake of brevity, I decided to keep it simpler and have poor Bob suffer the consequences of his indulgence.  (Although I’m not sure what his fate will be when the humans take the compost out.  Maybe he escapes then!)  Consider this a cautionary tale with relatively low stakes! 🙂

Bob the Bug

Bob the bug was hungry,

His stomach feeling hollow.

He used his nose and caught a whiff –

A yummy smell to follow. 

He found some soggy cereal in a

Bowl, with sour milk. 

He smacked his lips and took a bite-

Delicious, smooth as silk!

He helped himself to breakfast, then

He went to find a snack. 

A human came along, so Bobby

Quickly scampered back. 

Then, landing on the countertop,

A nice, surprising treat!

The human left an apple core.

Yummy, crunchy sweet!

“Well, that’ll do for snacktime, 

But now I need some lunch. 

I’ll find some in the compost bin,

I’ve got a little hunch.”

He squirmed his way beneath the lid

As only bugs can do,

He plopped inside with bug eyes wide –

So many scraps to chew!

He found some squishy pizza

With pungent, moldy cheese

He gorged until his stomach filled, 

Them settled back with ease.

Soon, his tummy groaned again,

But Bob knew what to do. 

Time to leave the compost bin, 

For something new to chew. 

Time for something else to eat, 

Time for somewhere bright.

The food was good enough in there,

But it was dark as night!

Imagining what fresh surprise 

he’d find himself for dinner, 

Bob reached the lid, but couldn’t fit!

Lunch hadn’t made him thinner!

He pushed and squirmed and struggled, but 

He simply couldn’t fit. 

So, dropping to the compost heap, he said, 

“This must be it!

“I hoped for something better, but

It wasn’t meant to be.

I guess the piles of pizza

Will be good enough for me”

But still, between each feast he tries

Escaping from the bin. 

And to this very day, you’ll find

That’s still the mess he’s in.