I'm a nematode worm and I'm super-content
I live in your compost and do what I'm meant
Which is chew up your garbage and veggies and filth
And, hey presto, convert it to workable tilth.

My wife is a cutie, so wriggly and pink
The kids are delightful, though I'm biased I think.
We live in your compost and constantly toil
Transforming your rubbish to workable soil.

I pity you humans, your life is quite tragic
You ain't got the skill, or the clout and the magic
Of nematode wormies who silently munch
On left-over lettuce and bits from your lunch.

So give us your peelings, your scraps and your cores
Your offering's received with our grateful applause.
We're happy to serve you poor two-legged beasts
As long as you give us continual feasts.

My life is a doddle, no worries, late trains,
Or pensions or gas bills or taxes or drains
No e-mail, no texts, no phone, no TV
Just a glorious picnic - I'm glad to be me.

I'm a nematode worm, I'm the gardener's friend
I'm King of the Compost - The End.

© Mary Stewart