In days of yore
As aviator
Could shatter his astragalus
In an ugly crash or
Hard landing.
Astragalus is a funny word
Like a jungle beast or bird
Or expensive vegetable:
Fresh green astragalus
With Hollandaise.
Now the term has disappeared
Which I think a little weird
No one says astragalus
Now everyone says talus
Except etymologists who regale us
But it really is no fun to say
Aviator’s talus anyway