Please Don't Feed The Griffins

In a not-too-far place near the center of town,

There's a park you can visit at Peach Street and Crown;

A charming location called Carrington Green,

Regarded by most as the best that they've seen.

With trees giving cover to flower-lined paths,

Some handcrafted fountains and avian baths,

It's really no wonder it's chosen for jogs,

For frisbee with friends and for outings with dogs.

Now as you'd imagine with places like these,

It's home to so much in its bushes and trees.

From bright colored beetles and spiral-shelled snails,

To teddy-like squirrels with their big bushy tails.

And since they have ponds they get ducks and some swans,

And sometimes a bunny or two on their lawns;

The typical wildlife that one would expect,

And, also, they do have some griffins.

As much as it may sound completely absurd,

The park hosts some creatures; half lion, half bird.

Majestic and brilliant, they make quite the sight,

Just stood in your path or while gliding in flight.

And more than their looks they're surprisingly nice;

So open to photos they'll pose with you twice.

But while this is cool there's just one simple rule:

Please,

Don't Feed The Griffins.

Though griffins are known to like lots of sweet foods,

They don't do too well with the after-snack moods.

Beginning of course with a sugar-fueled buzz,

That gets them all giddy the way sugar does.

Their energy up to the maximum high,

They race through the park and they rip through the sky;

So out of control and while moving so brisk,

That all in their path end up highly at risk.

If runaway griffins weren't hazard enough,

It gets even worse after spicier stuff.

Food flavored with chilis and similar feasts,

Turn regular griffins to flame-throwing beasts.

With fire they spit at a thousand degrees,

They'll burn up the bushes and torch all the trees;

In no time reducing the beautiful grounds,

To charcoal and ashes in billowing mounds.

Though safer compared to when hot foods are had,

With sour cuisine things can still get quite bad.

The taste of a tangy surprise on their tongues,

Cause griffins to shriek at the top of their lungs.

Their screeching and squawking rings out through the air,

So long and so loud it's a nightmare to bear.

And worst part of all is this punishing sound,

Can carry for five, sometimes six miles around.

And never give griffins foods salted on top,

Because if you do they won't want you to stop.

The cravings take hold and they lose all their will,

Unable to think much but eating their fill.

They'll follow the food carts and crash people's lunch,

And stalk every picnic for something to munch.

They'll sweep the whole park eating all they can find,

In pecks and big gulps leaving nothing behind.

And lastly why feeding's the wrong thing to do,

Comes down to the fact that it won't be just you.

It's likely that others will have the same thought,

To share a few bites of the food that they've got.

If every next visitor throws them a treat,

It's hard for the griffins to not overeat.

And after a while as this happens each day,

Their fitness and health will for sure slip away.

If ever you're close to the center of town,

It's worth a short trip down to Peach Street and Crown.

Go visit the park known as Carrington Green,

That many regard as the best that they've seen.

It's perfect for taking an afternoon jog,

For frisbee with friends or for walking a dog.

Just make sure you note this one rule and I quote:

Please,

"Don't Feed The Griffins."

                                            -End-