scruta

It’s a little bit strange, it’s against the times

But vines above my alley hold cucumber vines

Yellow flowered gerkins sprout on electric flows

And far above the concrete, green shoots curl in rows

But amdist it all is one great giant beast

A monster of a gourd, made for a feast

Shouldn’t we pick it or do something while we can?

Or will we just let it fall? Is that the way? Is that our plan?

I do not have a ladder, I don’t even have a clue

If one did pick this cucumber, would it electrocute you?

—

“I don’t even have a clue”.

[Ferret is taking the picture of said “cucumber” in the morning when one of his neighbors, walking his cockeyed dog, sees him.]

Neighbor

Oh, very good.

[Ferret nods.]

Neighbor

Good picture!

Ferret

这个黄瓜怎么那么大？

Why is this cucumber so big?

Neighbor

哦，这不是一个黄瓜，是丝瓜！

Oh, this isn’t a cucumber, it’s a loofah!

Ferret

是吗？能吃吗？

Really? Can you eat it?

Neighbor

不能吃啊！好用洗澡啊！

You can’t eat it. It’s good for washing with. 

Ferret

哦。

Oh.

No cucumber after all; it’s a sponge!