Pike Surprise
I’m olive green and lie in wait,
I’m the surprise that small fish hate.
A duckbilled snout and slender head,
I’m the surprise that froglets dread.
With big round forward facing eyes,
I’m the surprise that voles despise.
My needle-sharp teeth grip and hold,
I’m the surprise that toadlets loathe.
I hunt in weeds along the shore,
I’m the surprise that mice abhor.
I live for more than twenty years,
I’m the surprise each duckling fears.
The fisherman thinks I’m a fool,
casting his bait in my small pool,
that’s the surprise that I don’t like,
as I’m a long and slender pike.
I’m the surprise that small fish hate.
A duckbilled snout and slender head,
I’m the surprise that froglets dread.
With big round forward facing eyes,
I’m the surprise that voles despise.
My needle-sharp teeth grip and hold,
I’m the surprise that toadlets loathe.
I hunt in weeds along the shore,
I’m the surprise that mice abhor.
I live for more than twenty years,
I’m the surprise each duckling fears.
The fisherman thinks I’m a fool,
casting his bait in my small pool,
that’s the surprise that I don’t like,
as I’m a long and slender pike.
This poem is copyright (©) Sally Mills 2026
About the Writer
Sally Mills
After graduating as an artist and following a career devoted to nature conservation Sally has written/illustrated three publications: her debut memoir, Island to Island, and accompanying Photograph Collection, together with the production of illustrations for a children’s book, Boomy the Bittern. With drive and motivation to inspire children about the natural world, she has recently become infatuated with children’s poetry and has been previously published on the Dirigible Balloon.
