Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Era (02/03/11)
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TITLE: The Amazing Adventures of Captain Mo Treehugger | Previous Challenge Entry
By Nancy Bucca
02/10/11 -
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As Mo the tent flap rips aside
Sharp nails his face do scratch
To him it seems an omen
Of the shut-eye he can't catch
He turns his gaze to angel's breath,
A vapor white and fluffy,
Perfume of Jacob's ladder sent
To freshen air that's stuffy
Not long ago they'd shed the dust
From Egbert's Yuppie Town
Now shades of Lot's wife guard the chest,
No water going down
Three days upon the E-15
And running out of gas,
They curse the gold undrinkable
And pray their thirst to pass.
The cock crows thrice with awesome news:
Some daring men did spy
Inside this barren wilderness
A lake that won't run dry!
This feather-ruffling rumor
Prompts the flock to probe the sight.
But oh what bog ghoul's nasty stench
Turns tired hooves to flight!
For on the lake an evil film
Of boiling algae hisses
"Beware the blow of Mo's B.O.,
Don't trust his 'holy' kisses.
"I've smelled beneath his arm pits
And his sweat doth truly stink
As for that killer's tainted wine,
Be careful what you drink"
"With what slick pleas he doth excuse
That prison break gone bad.
His plans are poison. Don't believe us?
Ask your dear old Dad."
The flakes of this elusive lie
Descend like leprosy,
Inspiring men to rage at Mo,
robes torn to mutiny
But as Mo sweats to find a way
To heal their rampant fury,
A sudden cry of "Timber!"
Sets his shoeless feet to scurry
He runs to see what sight does burn
Beneath the glory shade.
Why, it's that ancient evergreen,
Heartthrob of Eden's glade!
One gem amid two stink logs
Is this wondrous living tree,
A metaphor, it seems,
Foreshadowing some victory.
It calls to mind a blood-red sun
That lit the narrow path,
O'er which the little chain gang ran
To flee their warden's wrath.
"Timber!" repeats the cooing dove
As pride falls to the ground.
"Come Mo, it's time to hug a tree
So spread the message 'round."
Like Abe, Mo's sides with stitches rip
At this command absurd
Just wait until he tells them
That he heard it from a bird!
But metaphors are stubborn tweets
That will not be ignored
So with sweet feet he moves his seat
On past the growling hoard
No time to strip the scratchy bark
That scrapes his aching back
As folks with bark-clogged eyes and ears
His character attack
With hyssop dipped in vinegar
His weary soul they lash
As Mister Manna Money bags
Unhands the silver cash.
"I thirst!" wails Mo with failing breath
As diving in the lake
He lays his broken body down,
A ship's mast as his stake
They claim that God has smitten him,
The Captain of their ship,
For now he's drowned and all for naught,
Though it's been quite a trip
But as they watch the rugged log
In death's still currents roll
The poisoned carpet disappears,
The waters are made whole
And then "Surprise!" It's Mo - alive!
Yes, there is no mistake.
Emerging from the depths he tells them
"Jump into the lake!"
"The water's sweet, it really rocks
Dive in and take a drink
Admit you need it, take the leap,
And you'll no longer stink."
The ones who know they need the cure
Do in the waters dive.
(It's really almost everyone)
And those who drink, survive.
So there you have the story
Of a wondrous mystery,
With highlights from an era
That's unique to history.
It's truly fascinating
If you take the time to read it
But better if you understand
And understanding, heed it
And by the way, next time you're cross,
Take time to hug a tree.
Do not despair, release your care,
Receive this gift for free.
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Poetic footnotes:
E-15: Exodus chapter 15
Egbert's Yuppie Town = Egypt
Prison break gone bad = Moses' killing of the Egyptian
Like Abe, with stitches ripping = Abe's laughter at being told by God that Sarah would bear him a son (see Genesis 17:17)
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