Dr Fixit (021 - 030)

021

meaning ‘proverb or parable’ andahbasee’

means ‘god’ so storytelling – from what I see –

was a profound thing throughout the clans

 and the storyteller to pass on to the ants

a moral tasked their brains and common folks

tended to believe these tales were invoked

by aligning with the gods. ‘There lived a man,’

Grandma went on, lowered the wick of the lamp

and sat on the bed beside me, my side

touching her leg for safety against the tide


022

which was unpredictable. If rough and dark,

I knew I had my grandma watching my back.

‘How was he?’ This was the traditional response

showing the listeners’ interest and bonds

with the wakefulness of the storyteller.

‘He had stepped into the shoes of his father

who'd just passed on. He received a big farm.

He was charming and lived on Timebound Island.

Where he lived, the breeze ruffled the palm fronds

and lovely birds visited the garden at the front

 

023

‘where a boulevard tapered to the horizon.

There sat a long-reigning monarch on his throne.

Charming homes hedged with stunning flowers

dotted the sides of the boulevard, commuters

waited at the sprawling bus stop to the right

and on the left, a grand house was filled tight

with revelling hordes of humans

wallowing in fun and romance ...’

Humans? I’d never seen one yet and I had doubt

if Grandma did and so my curiosity was aroused

 

024

every time folks mentioned them in their tales

which made me wonder if they’d hair or scales

covering their hide – in fact, I was quite eager

this night my grandma's tale did meander

around humans to ask many questions

as I’d heard from my folks many notions

about these beings for their tales filled the lips

of the army ants who very often made trips

to hunt, buy or sell in distant clans.

Meanwhile, I folded my legs and clasped my hands


025

around them as I listened attentively

to Grandma’s tale. The wind rushed hastily

around our home. ‘In their midst was a dude

inheriting a fortune that did include

a vast business worth many millions

and a wagon driven around by two stallions.

Two army ants tired from their trek had sneaked in

to the spot to refresh and peek in

through words of the revellers the atmosphere

and goings-on on the island. A table near

 

026

‘the entrance where the good-looking dude sat

with his admirers, they clambered and at

the point the dessert was, they buckled down

without invitation to it. The dude and every fan

of his took no notice of the ants and his aide

as they were too minute for any fun-seeking mate

to appreciate. To finally quench

the urges in their famished frames, they got drenched

in the sparkling white wine the horde drank

and joined them in the happy songs they sang.

 

027

‘The party had been on for many an hour

when a man wearing a speckled bowler

moved into the big hall and walked

to the table hosting the dude and baulked

perceiving the throng and their ballyhoo

but then elbowed his way through

to confront the dude. He tapped his shoulder

and when he turned, the man did whisper

into his ear – it was apparent he was his uncle:

“You’re frittering your fortune away. Be humble,

 

028

‘“my nephew and return to manage the farm

that had been bequeathed to you for great harm

already had occurred since you left it

in the hands of others and paid no visit

to supervise them. Everyone runs things

as they please. Missing are tools and fittings.

And lastly, I hope you would remember,

son, that time would never be a passenger

for anyone to pick to give a jolly ride

on their lovely wagon.” The uncle with a stride

 

029

‘returned as he had come and the dude

burst out laughing and a gesture quite rude

he made at the departing back of his uncle,

mouthing: “Tell time I’d sure come and get him bundled

at the bus stop or boulevard when I’m done

into the back of my charming wagon

and take him to his destination

whether here or in another nation.

For now, if he likes, he should join me

and enjoy with my friends till we’re all weary.”

 

030

‘The fans reeled with boisterous laughter,

hailed the wagoner with cups raised higher

in a toast. The ants jollied with them till tipsy;

 the music blaring from the speakers, the feet nippy:

they danced, the hits ranging from rock

to calypso; from jeans, was the human frock,

to calico. From bar to bar, they trooped

with the wagoner and around him they looped

to gobble down all on the table he put,

meals quite large, some exotic and cute, 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Dr Fixit (011 - 020)

Dr Fixit (001 - 010)