SO YOU CAN’T FLY

I held a sea shell to my ear

And listened to a siren’s song.

It called me to the water’s edge,

Where I ran to catch its promise.

How sweetly sang the temptress,

Inviting me to come,

And live with her forever more.

Let other fools take aspirin.

Music rode each tossing wave

And seized with strange desire.

“I must capture you” I screamed,

“I’ve lost all else that matters.”

“What is all else,” a sea gull asked?

I looked above. Who dare intrude?

“You absurd fowl, what crudy nerve

To speak now at a time like this!”

“My, my, old chap,” the bird replied

“Why so upset? So you can’t fly!”

“Will you shut up?” In rage I stormed.

“I can not hear her anymore.”

“You’ve spoiled it all you stupid bird.”

“Well, look at who is calling names

            he said and then continued.

“You are the one who’s quite absurd.

She plays that silly sounding flute

            to anyone who’ll listen.

So go ahead prance out to her.

“If you want I wish you would”

And off he flew. Now where was I?

Oh yes, that lilting soft refrain.

But I could not retrieve my eyes

from graceful wings which fanned the sky.

And I confess however much.

I did dislike that fat-head bird.

His beauty far outmatched the haunting siren’s tune

And so I turned about and let my weary legs

            Return me home.