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Pericles

the Pitcher plant

By Tony MartelloPublished 2 years ago 1 min read
Pericles
Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

Pericles, the Pitcher Plant is surrounded by glory. His artistic and opportunistic friends sit around a congregation of the sticky and prickly sort. Unshaven, they chill with their lids off-an open door policy-for those insects drawn in by the lure of fermenting liquor from nectar punch leftover from partying the night before.

Any of the unlucky crawlers that slide down Pericles' slippery walls are sure to never return to the top but stew in a cauldron of gooey acid strong enough to rot the organics right out of the bugs, extracting precious nitrogen from their decomposition. Because the soil around them lacks nitrogen, they must resort to carnivorous tendencies to absorb the precious gas.

This nitrogenous fixing, coupled with deep inhalations of carbon dioxide allow this aristocracy to thrive with noble intent while simultaneously releasing oxygen for the life around them.

Burp!

Elegyfact or fictionFor FunFree Versehumornature poetrysurreal poetryProse

About the Creator

Tony Martello

Tony Martello, author of The Seamount Stories, grew up surfing the waves of Hawaii and California—experiences that pulse through his vivid, ocean-inspired storytelling. Join him on exciting adventures that inspire, entertain, and enlighten.

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