Centipede
The tenth of the tenth: a sententious day:The centipede scents his quivering prey;Like a centurion in days of yoreThis multi-legged beast prepares for war. Fully equipped to flee forward or back -Lest he the courage to fight might lack -The centipede on his one hundred legsFor surrender craven never begs. But centipede sense will ever prevail:Either he advance of else he turn tail(If a centipede has a tail to turnAnd for military glory does not yearn -The centipede is not dull or dense:He is not beguiled by pence or cents Of one hundred boots we hear the thumpsAs the centipede into battle jumps,Or else we hear his footwear rattleAs the centipede elects to shun the battle. Whether he be soused or soberThe centipede is prepared for the tenth of October.