The Griffin

There was a famous griffin called the

Sphinx who was a fearsome killer

Waylaying travelers with a tough riddle

Until Oedipus guessed correctly.

Occasionally, on some remote dirt road

I encounter a griffin.

Though they are said to be fearsome beasts, the ones

I encounter vary in size from cat-like

To behemoth. They’re tone is a trifle formal, which

Puts me at ease, but should not

As most atrocities are first begun with a formal tone.

The riddles they pose are koan-like puns such as, “If a rock is tossed down

an endless hole will it always be falling?”

Or “If God is love, then why is love a word?”

And I can’t believe Griffins would expect

me to answer such jibber-jabby

I chuckle and pat their heads and pass them by,

despite their majesty.