Poetry and musings of a zany Mormon girl who is very proud of her Erda roots.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Tee Hee

My parents have always been really big on books, reading, and general edification focused on personal interests. When I was a kid I can remember new and second hand books filling every corner of the house. In fact, I don't think a number can be assigned to the books we own because there will always be another box someplace just waiting to be rediscovered.

In any case, I love it! I love the smell of books. I love the feel of ancient paper and the way a new book cracks at the spine when opened for the first time. I love re-reading favorites and learning new things from someone else's perspective. I love getting lost in another person's world.

Today I found a book of poems on a shelf in the basement. I can remember reading this book as a kid and finding a poem about a naughty boy who's nurse fed him to a lion. It was a funny poem. But I've never been able to find that particular poem again.

I have the book in front of me and I still can't find that poem.

But I found a few others I enjoy.

I'll share them with you.

These three are by Hughes Mearns.

He must have had a great sense of humor!

LITTLE WILLIE

Willie saw some dynamite,
Couldn't understand it quite;
Curiosity seldom pays:
It rained Willie seven days.


CARELESS WILLIE

Willie, with a thirst for gore,
Nailed his sister to the door.
Mother said, with humor quaint:
"Now, Willie dear, don't scratch the pain."


SISTER NELL

In the family drinking well,
Willie pushed his sister Nell.
She's there yet, because it kilt her --
Now we have to buy a filter.

Here's one by Lewis Carroll.

THE MELANCHOLY PIG

There was a Pig that sat alone,
Beside a ruined Pump.
By day and night he made his moan:
It would have stirred a heart of stone
To see him wring his hoofs and groan,
Because he could not jump.

Here's one final poem. It is a folk poem from Greece.

THE CHILDREN'S SONG

The swallow has come again
Across the wide white sea;
She sits and sings through the falling rain
"O March, my beloved March!
And thou sad February,
Though still you may cover with snow the plain,
You yet smell sweet of the Spring.

Wow, that pretty much sums up today in Salt Lake!

3 comments:

  1. The one you are looking for is this -
    Jim
    Who ran away from his Nurse and was eaten by a Lion

    There was a Boy whose name was Jim;
    His Friends were very good to him.
    They gave him Tea, and Cakes, and Jam,
    And slices of delicious Ham,
    And Chocolate with pink inside
    And little Tricycles to ride,
    And read him Stories through and through,
    And even took him to the Zoo--
    But there it was the dreadful Fate
    Befell him, which I now relate.

    You know--or at least you ought to know,
    For I have often told you so--
    That Children never are allowed
    To leave their Nurses in a Crowd;
    Now this was Jim's especial Foible,
    He ran away when he was able,
    And on this inauspicious day
    He slipped his hand and ran away!

    He hadn't gone a yard when--Bang!
    With open Jaws, a lion sprang,
    And hungrily began to eat
    The Boy: beginning at his feet.
    Now, just imagine how it feels
    When first your toes and then your heels,
    And then by gradual degrees,
    Your shins and ankles, calves and knees,
    Are slowly eaten, bit by bit.
    No wonder Jim detested it!
    No wonder that he shouted ``Hi!''

    The Honest Keeper heard his cry,
    Though very fat he almost ran
    To help the little gentleman.
    ``Ponto!'' he ordered as he came
    (For Ponto was the Lion's name),
    ``Ponto!'' he cried, with angry Frown,
    ``Let go, Sir! Down, Sir! Put it down!''
    The Lion made a sudden stop,
    He let the Dainty Morsel drop,
    And slunk reluctant to his Cage,
    Snarling with Disappointed Rage.
    But when he bent him over Jim,
    The Honest Keeper's Eyes were dim.
    The Lion having reached his Head,
    The Miserable Boy was dead!

    When Nurse informed his Parents, they
    Were more Concerned than I can say:--
    His Mother, as She dried her eyes,
    Said, ``Well--it gives me no surprise,
    He would not do as he was told!''
    His Father, who was self-controlled,
    Bade all the children round attend
    To James's miserable end,
    And always keep a-hold of Nurse
    For fear of finding something worse.

    Hilaire Belloc

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  2. Most of those are pretty gruesome... I like the Lewis Carroll one =)

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