4 December 2012
- - - This is my take on the children's classic, "Jack and the Beanstalk" - - -
He told me they were magical, Those little beans he had. But when I asked my mother She said I was a cad. "You sold our cow, our livelihood, To that dishonest sir." "But Ma, I swear, he really meant His words!" I'd caused a stir. At nightfall I was cast right out Of the four walls I loved, But when I woke to my surprise I found myself above It all. "Dear Lord, the clouds are close" I breathed, creeping forward. I found the clouds to be solid And then moved on toward A huge castle against the sky. Stone, dark and oh! so vast, "What mighty walls!" I did remark, And reached those walls at last. Inside I found an empty hall As big as any church, But as I waded through the rug My stomach took a lurch. There before me stood a huge dame, More frightening than Ma, And although I love the latter This former made me jar. Her gaze did soften when she glanced Down to my direction. "Boy, go! Or my husband will eat You with predilection." I liked her plan and got ready To cross the massive floor, But as I turned myself around I heard a monstrous roar: "Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum! I smell the blood Of an Englishman!" While This went on his gentle wife looked Upon me with a smile. "Hide in this tiny biscuit tin" (It was like a courtyard). Just then the giant thundered in, His big boots sounding hard. As they exchanged mundane greetings I heard some metal clink. Peeking out off the cavernous Tin, I saw trough a chink A king's ransom in golden coins, Each coin a fearsome size. I thought to combat poverty With theft - I do despise Relating it, but times were hard: My morality failed. Looking back with my years of shame, I ought to have been jailed. With youthful strength I pulled along The cumbersome coin-purse When the giants were both resting, I wished to reimburse My family's failing fortunes With this stolen plunder. Before I left I heard a song So full of love and wonder. A beautiful harp was singing: I wanted to own it, But I had to climb down the stalk And the harp would not fit. I descended, and shared my spoil, And Ma was full of glee: "My boy, go back and bring any Other treasures you see". I hadn't told her of the beasts, For fear she'd cut the stalk. The crime was mine, I knew it well. I climbed after our talk. Up and up and up some more, I reached the peak at last. Through the misty clouds so soft, I found the castle door. I quietly hunted around Until I found a goose: Surrounding it were golden eggs, So I cut the bird loose. Before I left, the giantess Boomed heavily, "Hello! I'm glad you made it out alright, But why not stay below?" I lied about my appreciation For this place of great fear. She seemed glad but warned me that soon The giant would be here. I waited until she had gone And went off with the bird, As I slipped through the cloudy fields An angry roar was heard. The goose was straining in my arms Trying to reach its master; I knew that I had to climb down So I went all the faster. Upon reaching my house safely My Ma was curious. "Is this for our lunch?" she queried; (The goose looked furious) I told her of its golden eggs And she grew elated. "Jack, thanks to your beans our fortunes No longer are belated!" I wanted to make her more proud, So I climbed yet again. I knew the harp was waiting there: Ignoring aching pain, I crested the twisting beanstalk And soon found the great lair. After grabbing the wondrous harp, Its cries tore through the air: "Thief! Thief! Ungrateful thief, You have now stolen thrice!" In a frenzy I climbed down fast But saw I'd pay the price. The giant was pursuing me, He'd heard his dear harp's cry; I climbed down faster now, fearing That I would surely die. I crashed down hard and threw the harp Aside, and called for Ma: "Good Lord, an axe! I need an axe!" I saw one lying far Away: she came, gave it to me And asked about the fuss. I reassured her I'd cut down the stalk "For the safety of us." I hacked away, hearing the great Giant make his climb down; I hacked away, going wild with fear, And the stalk went to ground. A loud thundering crash broke the Rhythm of axe-chopping. I was relieved to see that the noise Was the giant dropping. My story has come to an end, But know this final fact: I'm no hero, nor a saviour: I killed for things I lacked, After a spell of theft. But I Have tried to use the gain To bring prosperity to all. Not much of it remains...
Spill The Beans • Opuss № I