Monday, May 23, 2011

Why the folk tales

* why the folk tales *
I recall the folk tales
So often begun the same
A child becomes a young adult
To much of a strain on family wealth
Sent upon their way
A knotted sheet or bag all they have
Perhaps a lump of cheese and bread
Enough to get them to where there going
Then what happens next be upon their head
Must find employment or gain charity
For at home there is neither
Parents having provided to this point
Cut the ties binding
Send youth out to self be finding
Little wonder so many failed
Into worlds obscene were drawn
Rank poverty and vulgarity
Matchgirl turning tricks
Wood cutter's son a lout
No jobs to be found this month
Must do what one must
Or one shall do without
And so the general populance
Devoured folk tales optimistic
The poor farmer's daughter
Caught the prince's eye
Her eyes of blue of sky
Hair cornstalk yellow
Body firm fit nubile and virginal
Toned up from eight days walk to capital
And shortage of meals consumed
The prince smells of breakfast sausage
Golden coach indicates no more miles to walk
Such luxury and indolence easy turns a young girl's head
Before she knows what is what
She is wed and straight to bed
Prince claims his sovereign right
So it is for wayward girls
Though so few princes to go around
Fortunately princes often also sought
More than one filly at a time to bed
And the role of mistress paid one's way
For meals and a roof over your head
For the young lads full of vigour
Must wrestle their own tigers
Seek apprenticeships against the mob
Show some muscle for a labouring job
Do whatever must be done
Or else shall need to do without
So when a boy by merit rose
From cabin boy to ship's master
Or labourer to respected builder
Their stories were retold
Those who took on old established world
And overcame to achieve respectability
A respectability of three meals daily
Others to labour for you
A roof above family's head
And a duck down bed
Pleasures devalued in our modern place
But highly valued by those
Who the folk tales of old did grace.

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