Bears rarely dance in northern air.
They do not dance much anywhere.
Bears much prefer a quiet lair
And rest and contemplation there.
I think the general sort of bear
Would be astonished and would stare
If any of their kin should dare
To dance about in northern air.
Though some perhaps would nothing care
It might drive others to despair.
Then lucky it’s so very rare.
King Kevin
Rides a kangaroo.
King Kevin
Dines on kumquat stew.
King Kevin
Looks a lot like you.
He does not know what else
to do.
Poor king, poor king, poor king.
Hush now, child, now go to bed
Now close your eyes, rest your head
For now we end our day.
And while you sleep, the pirates creep
Into the town and up the street
To carry you away.
And you shall be a pirate king
A king of endless isles
The gentle rain shall fall on you
The lazy sun shall smile
And yours will be a bonny ship
And bonny be your crew
And singers who sing of wondrous things
Of treasure maps and golden rings
And birds that swim, and fish with wings
And the dreams that are dreamed by pirate kings
Shall sing of you.
III.
It is a dragon that swallows the moon.
A dragon delivers the rising sun in its jaws.
Knowing nothing of despair or love,
While its heart remains hidden it cannot be killed.
O spider, dear spider, why did I ever shrink from you in fright?
I am sorry now I did, for now I know it was not right.
O spider, dear spider, please watch and keep me safe tonight
Only do not come too close, please; only mind you do not bite.
II.
In the time before men the dragons ruled the air,
Spurning the ground,
Fearing nothing, not even the sea.
Evil by their birth,
They were most noble.
I.
The Chinese dragons have faces like old men
Grow stronger the older they grow
Lie by telling the truth
Can ride the slightest wind to invisible heights
Are beautiful in motion, hideous in repose.
Here's a fat thing, a bubble. Air bobs it. It flirts with light, sucks blue from the sky. It wants to wander, but where? There's no wind to show a way. Without a goal to vex it, it stays a toy, untroubled. A dog comes nosing, smelling soap, then yelps and shies. The bubble spits a rainbow as it dies.
(photos by RolandasJ, carterse)
Oh, an Octopus is just the thing
When you’re out of string.
Yes, instead of a ball of twine
An Octopus works fine.
Last Christmas Eve I got a box
Done up in Octopus-knots.
It’s nicely tied — there’s even a bow.
But what’s inside? I still don’t know.
The Octopus
won’t
let
go.
The King was rude – nobody ruder –
Until the day he met the Buddha.
“Bow before me!” quoth the King;
The Buddha said, “Await the spring.”
“My word is law,” the King proclaimed.
Said Buddha, “Silence won’t be named.”
The King decreed, “Off with his head!”
And Buddha promptly fell down dead.
But from that day, forever after,
The King can’t sleep for hearing laughter.
Bag of Anything 