The Barnacle

The barnacle is rather odd —

It’s not related to the clam

Or limpet. It’s an arthropod,

Though one that doesn’t give a damn.

Cousin to the crab and shrimp,

When larval, it can twitch and swim,

And make decisions — tiny imp

That flits according to its whim.

Once grown, with nothing more to prove

It hunkers down, and will remain

Stuck fast. And once it does not move,

Has no more purpose for a brain.

Its one boast is, it will not budge,

Cemented where it chanced to sink,

Sclerotic, stubborn as a grudge.

Settled, it does not need to think.