Word of the Day: Pawn

The tiny ant can carry objects twenty times its weight,

While fleas leap sixty times their length — victors out the gate.

The tensile strength of spider-silk surpasses that of steel.

The venom of the elfin dart frogs paralyse and kill.

The wings of fragile ifrit birds are poison to the touch.

The mantis shrimps that fit in palms can pack a deadly punch.

The pawn that breaks the finish line can then become a queen.

With fiery authority, she wipes the chessboard clean.

Don't underrate the underdog, the fighter of small size,

The mongoose on the serpent — they'll crack the flaws you hide. 

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Banner image by Norman Myers, from Alamy.com:
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