14 May 2006

the time has come...

to realize that not only lemmings follow in step without question...

"The Walrus and the Carpenter"

... The Walrus and the Carpenter
Were walking close at hand;
They wept like anything to see
Such quantities of sand:
"If this were only cleared away,"
They said, "it WOULD be grand!"

"If seven maids with seven mops
Swept it for half a year,
Do you suppose," the Walrus said,
"That they could get it clear?"
"I doubt it," said the Carpenter,
And shed a bitter tear.

"O Oysters, come and walk with us!"
The Walrus did beseech.
"A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along the briny beach:
We cannot do with more than four,
To give a hand to each."

The eldest Oyster looked at him.
But never a word he said:
The eldest Oyster winked his eye,
And shook his heavy head --
Meaning to say he did not choose
To leave the oyster-bed.

But four young oysters hurried up,
All eager for the treat:
Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,
Their shoes were clean and neat --
And this was odd, because, you know,
They hadn't any feet.

Four other Oysters followed them,
And yet another four;
And thick and fast they came at last,
And more, and more, and more --
All hopping through the frothy waves,
And scrambling to the shore.

The Walrus and the Carpenter
Walked on a mile or so,
And then they rested on a rock
Conveniently low:
And all the little Oysters stood
And waited in a row.

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes -- and ships -- and sealing-wax --
Of cabbages -- and kings --
And why the sea is boiling hot --
And whether pigs have wings."

... "It seems a shame," the Walrus said,
"To play them such a trick,
After we've brought them out so far,
And made them trot so quick!"
The Carpenter said nothing but
"The butter's spread too thick!"

"I weep for you," the Walrus said.
"I deeply sympathize."
With sobs and tears he sorted out
Those of the largest size.
Holding his pocket handkerchief
Before his streaming eyes.

"O Oysters," said the Carpenter.
"You've had a pleasant run!
Shall we be trotting home again?"
But answer came there none --
And that was scarcely odd, because
They'd eaten every one.'


Lewis Carroll, from Alice Through The Looking Glass, Ch. 4


some follow carpenters...

1 comment:

HAPPY IN NEVADA said...

Well, I hope my eyes are good enough to put in those letters I see (below) in order to say 'hi'.

I found you because of the key word 'music' - that's right at the top of my list; and my life.

When I saw your profile, I also saw Chicago - I'm from Kalamazoo, and have spent wonderful times in Chicago.

Then I saw this great poem; I'd recently found it on the I-net, and printed it so I could send to a friend of mine who'd never heard of it. Okay, I figured that was quite impossible, but I guess some might not be as 'old' as we are (I'm 65).

On top of that, I saw you had more than one 'blog' - me too; simply can't cram everything into one 'space'.

I like the way you've laid out your 'home' - going to take a further look at all your blogs; seems I might find more good things if this is an indication.

Diane - Nevada