Guises and Disguises

We think that Janus,
the two-faced god,
symbolises duplicity
and that's rather odd.

It is misleading
because in reality
what he represents
is simply duality.

In the natural world
one finds mendacity 
as various creatures
opt for opacity.

They achieve that
by clever disguises;
blending with plants
or other devices.

The chameleon
will change colour
and the cuttlefish
resorts to pallor.

The mountain hare,
with white fur,
on snowy grounds
will seem a blur.

A grey tree frog
hides on a stone,
a safe method
to be left alone.

The octopuses
that live in the Med,
and dread predators,
lie on the seabed.

All animals
have to be skilled
in camouflage,
to avoid being killed.

Let's keep everything 
in proper perspective
as predators and prey
 have different objectives.

© Luigi Pagano 2021