Every verse is a shell for a moral, a skel -
eton which we expand when councilling,
wanton worries dispel (we can scan well and spell),
though transcend all end elling and illing !
Lordly lion’s large jaws are unused, like his paws,
'til his lady striped zebra’s sent spilling,
then he rages and roars, rips raw prey with sharp claws,
but it's mostly to show flesh is willing !
In the main, though, his mane and his booming refrain,
give the lie - ‘spite his timbre so thrilling,
for with pride by his side he can set pride aside,
and let others get on with the killing !
Every night at the well loud his larynx will swell,
while at jungle rill thirstily swilling,
yet you know very well ‘tis to show lioncel
how to act, an example instilling.
One should prowl nightly, bell howl with high decibel,
or else growl, which is simply spine-chilling,
while by day to keep well one should sleep for a spell,
as the tropical sun is too grilling !
So I feel you will find feline father is kind,
especially when cubs are a-milling,
though stay out of the sight of his mate or she might
take a fancy to you for her filling !
There’s a story some tell, (here in verse we excel),
truth from falsehood intent on distilling,
of a slave, Androcel, and a snell lioncel,
if you question my facts, you’re cavilling !
Yellow leo did dwell in a duned desert dell,
often went from his den to the hilling,
‘till with bellowing yell on a ratchel once fell,
and the wound sent his tuned voice a-shrilling !
From his pad Androcel pulled the spill, soothed the swell,
using prehistoric penicillin,
feral fears did he quell, they as friends said farewell,
thus destiny’s wishes fulfilling !
Between Mount El Carmel and the vill of Bethel,
where years later his travels were willing,
on his way it befell footpads armed with cudgel
ambushed him in the midst of their pilling !
In the old citadel, powerless to rebel,
he was sold as a slave for a shilling,
vain resistance to quell, for free, bold, chains repel,
impelled him into ‘ring ’ for a grilling.
He was cramped in damp cell near ramped ‘rena roundel,
where dread carnivores daily were drilling,
there rough romans compelled him, ret, short-sword as well -
hope he'd no intention of stilling !
When it came to his turn he was thankful to learn
that the beast there that held the star billing
was the one once infirm, thus thereafter he'd earn
laurel leaves from the Praetor, Virgilling !
Androcles' doubts dispelled, death decree was refelled
on papyrus scribe skillfully quilling,
cancelling tocsin knell, toxin soujourn in hell,
echoed sounds of carousing, refilling.
People praise the marvel, ‘twas before chimed church bell
or they’d soon have been cheerf’lly carilling,
everyone would revel with sweet simnel, sardele,
to timbrel’s touch gaily quadrilling.
Here apt moral we rend, which from start until end,
in its heart says all men should be willing
to be civil to friend, mend his smart, make amend,
then existence will be just idylling !
Bronze trophy winner
Adding your comment:
Wonderful entry.
