Disasters at building model battleships,
And show no aptitude for playing the piano;
They have feet the size of pancake griddles,
Brooking no bullshit--
Where they stand,
The earth stays.
Lions make piss-poor babysitters,
And cannot become pope
Or president;
But, as the stumbling gazelle can attest,
At a single touch, lions can impart
Everything in the world that is worth understanding.
_______
Photo by Adam Romanowicz for One Shoot Poetry Challenge
I had no clue how this was going to end, but wow! The finale was fantastic.
ReplyDelete"...feet the size of pancake griddles...wash-outs at counted cross stitch...piss-poor babysitters...stumbling gazelle..." what incredible images.
As usual, Shay, you're able to deftly blend the whimsical with the deadly-serious.
Beautiful ending. ...It's impossible to find a decent babysitter these days! :)
ReplyDeleteoh but how majestic they are in rending their wisdom on a haunch
ReplyDeleteoh shay, you do make me shiver.
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant, and so enjoyable to read, with the "feet the size of pancake griddles" (how do you DO it?)The final stanza is nothing less than perfection. Wowzers, kiddo! Whew!
ReplyDeleteDEATH DEATH!!!
ReplyDeleteand then I giggle and hear Lion King's circle of life song, how could I not? The teens have pulled out the VCR tapes and are watching all of these things, wondering at the lessons hidden within for adults. I like the flash of Powerlessness too. I do not know if you intended that one.
you make me desiring a lion's touch...
ReplyDeleteelisa--yes, that was intentional.
ReplyDeleteMakes me think of every single Leo I've ever known throughout the course of my life ;) I really enjoyed the humorous rollicking of the lion. I'd definitely take another one as a lover lol :p aaaanyway...poem was great Shay. As always your voice is truly original!
ReplyDeleteRoar! poor gazelle
ReplyDeletei saw a lion once in montana in the morning while hiking eating something on a boulder above me...i understood the benefits of sleeping late
ReplyDeleteThat last line is so perfect. It echoes.
ReplyDeleteHow separated we are from the natural world, always warding ourselves from what we also are, with our cross stitch and neediness, trivialized, compared to the reality of that one touch. A master's hand, as always, reveals the bones and lays them bare.
ReplyDelete'Lions are wash-outs at counted cross stitch,
ReplyDeleteDisasters at building model battleships,
And show no aptitude for playing the piano;'
Caught me in your teeth on this first stanza... then played a bit during the chase until finally... the perfect catch.
Beautifully shared, once again.
Magnificent!
ReplyDeleteI literally felt the goosebumps rise along my arms when I read your final lines.. and that doesn't happen often.
This Leo is roaring with approval - and she can still play the piano but is pretty poor at counted cross stitch! Excellent as always Shay.
ReplyDeleteThe survival of the fittest and he is king. A strong message indeed.
ReplyDeleteThey would make piss-poor babysitters. Good point.
ReplyDelete"But...lions can impart everything in the world that is worth understanding." I like that.
ReplyDeleteunexpected ending. Nice
ReplyDelete"Where they stand,
ReplyDeleteThe earth stays"
yeah, baby! i LOVE the things lions can't do well. powerful ending to a delightful poem!
amazing, as always! ♥ d
It is hard to find good child care isnt .. ;-)
ReplyDeleteWell said. I love the last line!
ReplyDelete