It hardly seems the time for light verse.
This week, the United States surpassed 100,000 deaths from Covid-19. Angry, and sometimes violent, protests filled the streets after – once again – an unarmed black man died at the hands of white police officers. It seems a proper time for somber mourning and sad lament.
But light verse has its purposes. In the hope of bringing smiles into a time of darkness, and prompting chuckling instead of muttering, I offer this poem in the spirit of John O’Donohue’s blessing. Even in these dark days, may you never cease to take delight.
The Lizard's Dance
by Bill Howden
A lizard and his gizzard
went strolling down the street.
They chanced to meet a wizard,
who gave them something sweet.
The sweet was baked by Mother Moon,
assisted by the stars.
The seas’nings came from Pleiades,
red sprinkles came from Mars.
And down the street they met a lark,
who sang a gentle tune,
and led them to a pleasant park.
It was the month of June,
when flowers brightly wave their heads
with every passing breeze.
“Come dance,” the tiny daisies said.
Pink tulips said, “Oh please!”
The lizard did a quick-step,
the wizard whirled a waltz,
the lark, she spun and danced a jig
and not a step was false.
Come friends and join the dancing!
Come, and eat some sweets!
No day is meant for drab and drear:
Each one should be a treat.
So follow in the wizard’s steps,
taste sweets from Mother Moon,
and if you meet a lizard,
offer him a macaroon.
---by Bill
