Mantis, praying

After three days lying in state on the sideboard 
next to seashells, nests and a skeleton leaf,
the praying mantis stood up 
and waved his thin front leg,

searching for a foothold, 
looking for a way out of this mess.

He climbed aboard my offered hand,
 
so I rolled aside the rock that blocks our cave 
and stepped outside. 
I presented him with the rose bush,
the lemon balm,
the lawn, 
but he refused to leave. Instead

he cleaned his alien face with his front paws,

sat back and looked around.
Was he shocked at this turn of events?
Was this the plan all along?
Stop a short while, then ta-da! 
Now, feel that breeze, 

look at that human smiling.