[Richard G]

.
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.
....................................The Owl and the Pussy-Cat, Edward Lear



The Krakkling


(1)...On a glimmering strand
a Pussy and Owl
lost in each other
not feline nor fowl
but a couple,
consensual,
spousal,
connubial,
blind!

to the lapping lagoon.
Where they danced
by the light of the moon.


(2)...The lapping lagoon it lip-lapped and lipped
in the silvery moon’s silver light
as crossing its lip-lapping waters there dripped
a fearsome ebonious wight.

(3)...A creature of cuttle, of coral and mud,
a torment of shanty, of shell:
luciferous scales and Hadean blood,
as reasty as any from Hell.

(4)...Bedecked in the wrecks of a dozen ships
and a long laminaria cloak
they chushed through the tide with eight mighty strides
and then, from the shallows, spoke:

(5)..."I'm sorry to intrude. Indeed, how rude,
disrupting your nuptial night.
I've been somewhat rash, I left in a rush
and must look a frightful sight;

(6)...sufficient to say I am déshabillé
and breathless, bathed in the moonlight.
But never mind that, my sweet bird and cat,
it's not why I'm here tonight.

(7)...To mark the occasion of your conjugation
an Insight I would with you share.
For knowledge, as all know, is ever the boon
and this is The Wisdom of Bears!

(8)...I happened upon it a lifetime ago
in a weald, magic and rare.
Youthful I was, and reckless, of course,
I've no idea how I got there.

(9)...But there, in a clearing, I met such a being
of kindness and sense sublime.
A stranger to guile, an innocent smile,
who offered me this antique rhyme:

(10)..It's a Truth universally acknowledged,
he said.
And the Creed of the Old Ursine College,
he said.
That whether it's cloudy, clear, or runny
all Quinces taste better with Honey,
he said.

(11)..For anything
that may be eaten or ate
a gift or a theft,
or won in a bet,
or bartered,
or begged for,
or bought with cash money:
The One Rule,
The Gold Rule,
The Hot
& The Cold Rule
Is Everything, Everything, Everything, Everything
Tastes So Much Better With Honey,
he said.

(12)..Even old Turkeys and Piggies,
he said."


(13)..They dined by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They dined by the light of the moon.



.