I've written a gentle parody of a well-known poem ..... and here it is .. I must go down to the sea again, to spot a Skua or Diver, And all I ask is an onshore wind, for that I'd pay a fiver, for a chance of a tick, and the Phalarope's song and the white of a distant wave breaking, with no sign of mist on the briny's face, and the rivals I'll be overtaking ! I must go down to the sea again, for the thrill of the incoming tide And the wild call, and the clear call, of a Gannet on the glide, And all I ask, is an Ivory Gull, its white wings flying, And a close-in Kumlien's gliding by, my first after years of trying ! I must go down to the sea again,for the vagrant skimming by and the Tern's way, and the Shearwater's way, for me alone to spy, And all I ask is a merry yarn about someone who's dipped a mega, and the flung spume, and the blowing spray that's made me such a jammy beggar ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Well, 'tis question time, just like when you were "doing" poems at school . [a] What's the difference between a "gentle parody" and " taking the piss" ? [b] Which category would you put my effort in ? [a] Cathartic [b] Cynical [c] Cyclical [d Clinical [e] Chronic [f] Caustic [g] Cack [c] What was the "original" ? [d] And who wrote it ? [e] Is mine "better" than his ? [a] Yes [b] Certainly [c] Obviously. [d] No [f] Why ? [g] Why not ? [h] Are you going to "do" something similar ? [i] And then send it to me at [email protected] [j] And if not, why not ? Phew ! T'is music time .... but what ? Who could top my rekaramble thingy ? Neil Young .... " On the Beach " If you want to see the original, so that you can realise how brilliant but also affectionate and redolent and terrific my parody is, of course, you'll find it just about a smidgin after this mildly amazing picture .... Sea Fever by John Masefield
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by, And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking, And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking. I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife; And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover, And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.
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AuthorThat's the author up there ... I was young and sprightly then. Archives
October 2022
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