Another Poem

When I lived in England I went to see Natalie Merchant in concert (for the third time!) in Bristol.  The show was excellent - as I knew it would be.  Anyhow, during the show she mentioned a poet by the name of Edward Lear and how he had written a book of nonsensical poems.  She recited one (I can't remember which one) and I all remember is laughing out loud.  It was silly and fun and seemed like such a treat.  Of course, I went straight to Waterstones the next day and purchased a copy of The Book of Nonsense and Nonsense Songs.  Suffice it to say, I laughed and laughed, and have enjoyed reading Lear ever since. 

To continue celebrating National Poetry Month, I thought I would share one of his whimsical poems with you.  Enjoy!!

The Owl and the Pussy-Cat
by Edward Lear

The Owl and the Pussy-Cat went to sea
   In a beautiful pea-green boat:
They took some honey, and plenty of money
   Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
   And sang to a small guitar,
"O lovely Pussy, O Pussy, my love,
   What a beautiful Pussy you are,
            You are,
            You are!
   What a beautiful Pussy you are!"

Pussy said to the Owl, "You elegant fowl,
   How charmingly sweet you sing!
Oh! let us be married; too long we have tarried,
   But what shall we do for a ring?"
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the bong-tree grows;
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood,
   With a ring at the end of his nose,
            His nose,
            His nose,
   With a ring at the end of his nose.

"Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
   Your ring?" Said the Piggy, "I will."
So they took it away, and were married next day
   By the turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince and slices of quince,
   Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
   They danced by the light of the moon,
            The moon,
            The moon,
   They danced by the light of the moon.