The Lion and the Mouse A fable of Aesop, Copyright 2014

Once a  little mouse
Beheld a Lion sleeping
And so very softly
On tiptoe he came creeping

He kept some distance,

 for the great Lions snore

Was almost as frightening as his roar,

And then he did something brave
Or should we say  insane-
For the tiny  mouse grew bolder

And running up the Lions tail
Across his back and mane

Right up to his shoulder,
Then climbed back
down his leg
and jumped off of  his paw-

Just then the Lion woke
and caught the trespasser in his claws.

The little mouse he trembled
There was no way to be freed
From the might Lion's hold
 to regain his liberty

The little mouse he shivered
And his blood went cold
The awakened giant pussycat
Was a monster to behold,

The Lion frowned
Indeed he  scowled and
made a thunderous roar
Why did you tresspass Mr Mouse
What did you do that for ?

Now you have woken me

 from pleasant dreams

And I struggle so to sleep-

And the frightened little mouse
made many squeaks
and began to weep-

Please don't eat me Mr Lion,
Squeaked the rodent  with a cry
I do apologise  your majesty
I do not want to die-

I beg of you to spare my life
I most humbly pray-
and if you do
Then I'll come  back
 to save your life someday.

The Lion gave a hearty  laugh.
The trees shook, the and the earth rumbled
How will a tiny mouse like you
Save the great King of the Jungle?

But today since you've amused me so,
I am in a good mood, so I'll let you go.

The  lucky mouse
Ran to his house
To see his family
And to tell them all the story
Of how the Lion set him free

One day some hunters came
a looking
They were searching everywhere
And by chance they stumbled
Upon the Lions Lair
The Lion was not home that day
 So they set a huge rope snare.

The Lion he came home
that night
Looking forward to a nap-
He did not see the rope
And he was caught inside the trap

He cried he howled he could not get free-
The humungous Lion roared-
He struggled for his liberty
But alas the Jungle Lord
 Was firmly tied up in the ropes
all tangled in it's cords.

Far across the forest-The Lion`s might howls were heard

By the little mouse in his house
his sleep was much disturbed.

Mr Lion is  in trouble
I must go and keep my word.
The mouse ran to the Lions lair
And saw the Lion tangled in the rope
Mister Lion looked so scared
It seemed  he'd given up hope,

Have no fear your majesty
I am here to help my Lord
I know how to set you free
From these unkind  cords
He knew exactly what to do
At the  rope he nibbled and gnawed
Until  he'd bitten clean through

The Lion was so grateful
To finally be freed
When you need a friend
Then a friend in need
Is oft a friend indeed

 The lion turned
 to the mouse to say;
Forgive me Mr Mouse ,please I pray-
 "Dear friend, I was foolish
to ridicule you for being so small,
You kept your word
And you came back
 to  save me  after all!"

Parts of Speech. Poem Cape Town copyright 2014

In English there are different types of words.
Like articles, prepositions, nouns, adjectives and verbs
They have special functions and they teach
Us to distinguish the various parts of speech.

NOUNS of course are words for "things"
Some we can touch or feel or put inside a box
Like BOOKs  and BOYS  and DIAMOND RINGS
And ELEPHANTS  and CAKES and CLOCKS.

(On second thoughts an elephant might just break the box)

Abstract nouns speak of things we cannot see,
Like hope and love and eternity,

Verbs are action words for "doing",
Like "TRY " and "FLY"
- while words like "eating"and  "gluing"
and "perusing",
These are words
half noun/half verb....
Like "believing", " waiting", and "amusing",
These  Gerunds are somewhat more confusing.

An adverb describes how something is done
Like how BEAUTIFULLY  she sang, or how QUICKLY  he had run,
These adverbs help describe the verbs,
While adding interest to the words.

An adjective describes a noun
Like a CLEVER boy, or a SILLY clown
Always descriptive, it tells us more,
About the PRETTY girl, or the DIRTY floor.

A preposition gives us an indication,
Of where something is in relation
To something else,
Like under the Table,  ON the shelf
Or AGAINST the wall,
Or THROUGH the doorway, DOWN the hall,
Like AROUND the corner, or IN your dreams,
Or OVER the rainbow, or sprinkles ON your ice cream.

Conjunctions, like "AND", and "BUT", "BECAUSE", "HOWEVER"
Help connect our sentences together,
"THEN", "ALTHOUGH","UNLESS","BECAUSE"
Join phrase to phrase,
And clause to clause.

An article is either definite or not,
AN eskimo, A spaceship, THE Polka-dot,
If there's only one of something then use "the"
But if it's one of many, then choose "a".

The interjection -
Express feelings like
joy or excitement,-
Like a huh?! Yea !! wow ! Gee
or a yay Of "delightment" -
Or not so nice feelings
Like groan, sigh or a moan-
All kinds of feelings- whether happy or dark,
Interjections usually end with an exclamation mark. :)


I hope that I have left nothing out
If I have give me a shout,
I hope this lesson helped to teach,
You all about our parts of speech.
:)

FIRST IMPRESSIONS.

Mark Hurlin Shelton

Copyright Cape Town 2014

I am trying to recall the name

of that eccentric, incoherent vagabond
who used to trudge these country roads

 Trying to sell his so called paintings.

To our respected fellows

To those of us who can afford to cherish art,

To we who know the actual value of things

He invariably upset our apple-carts

Just observe this one

See these wild erratic strokes-

I tell you - the man was an utter joke !

A dog's breakfast of a fellow-

See these dubious dabs- such slovenly swoops of colour

A strangely mixed up palette

-like no other

Even his own brother- had almost had enough of him- for he was always begging money

For brushes and paints-and alcohol no doubt-

I tell you he was a vagabond- certainly no saint-

No it's not funny-

Quite prudently we decided not to let him in-

We had to keep him out

You can't encourage such a chap-

you just don't know where he's been-

You might catch something off him-

perhaps an infection-I mean,

Hence no wonder -he should suffer our rejection-

Now have a look here-

Note these overly rich wildly textured strokes

Too much for my eyes,it makes one choke

See here the acute contrast the intense chiaroscuro

the interplay of dark and light

And shadow

On some low class peasants eating potato

It truly gives me a fright-

I tell you-It's just too much for my sight !!

And here a golden- yellow wheatfield-

Note the deranged  dance of dashing colour-

And  some detestable crows

Is it the erratic passion of an overgrown child

A madman perhaps- who knows ?

Not a friend of ours of course

But just an eccentric, penniless incoherent stammering beggar who trudged these country roads-

Attempting  to sell his so called "art".

His manners always coarse-

Invariably he upset our applecart-

and even frightened off  the horse!

-His presence was not well received,

The wife gave him some sandwiches once

And a few cups of tea-

In return he gave us one that was okay I suppose-

I gave it to my daughter-

Who donated it to the vicar for the church bazaar-

Who sold it to mad Aunt Rose

It was okay- but quite bizarre,

Any claim to talent was not to be believed-

We didn't think he'd go very far-

The galleries did not want him either

He was not well received

Quite mad of course, we bade him go,

But it seemed he did not hear us clear

I noted that he seemed to lack one ear

I heard it rumoured that he gave it to a tart !! (Laughter)

In my minds eye, I can still

see him perpetually trudging down these endless  flat and dreary country roads,

Along the canals conversing with the windmills-

Preaching some babble to the peasants about some kingdom for the poor-

This he ranted on and on about-

Between frequent visits to the madhouse

Yes- He went there more and more

His manner and dress scruffy and outlandish

Few could understand him more than comprehend a fish

Always a pauper and full of impropriety

He was excluded from the local arts society

But although in his time we regarded him a bum

Being dead- he has earned us quite a tidy sum.

His name is on the tip of my tongue-

What was it now ?

Ah yes- Vincent -that's the one.! :)

Van Hunks and the Devil

 I am born and raised in Cape Town South Africa>
There is an old Cape Town Legend about an old sea captain who loved to smoke his pipe. 
One day day he climbed the mountain called Devils peak where he met the devil who challenged him to a smoking competition. It is said that Van Hunks beat the Devil. Whenever the clouds that are  known as the Table cloth come rolling over the mountain, it is said that Van Hunks and the devil are up on the mountain smoking their pipes.

Van Hunks and the Devil,

 by Mark Hurlin -Shelton Cape Town 2014

Old captain Van Hunks

He had sailed the seven seas

And returning home retired

At the fair Cape of Good Hope

He was a contented man

Often out in nature and was pleased

To take out his pipe and enjoy a hearty smoke

For to puff upon a pipe

Of few pleasures was he fonder

And aside from this he dearly loved to wander

On a fine day upon the mountainside

And as he climbed he'd rest a while

And take in the pleasing view

Of table bay stretched out wide o'er many a mile

And there was nothing better to do

Than sit contentedly and have a puff

Take in the view and smile

Higher and higher

Up the sunny slope he climbed

Clambering through the fynbos

All in flower

Delighted in the sunshine and fresh air

Pushing on and up-he strode for many an hour

His mind at peace and without care

In his stride, ambitious

He decided not to stop

Till he had ascended Devils Peak

Up to it's very top.

And when he reached the summit

He was well pleased

For like a glimmering sapphire

Was spread the blue of Table Bay

And such a view indeed inspired

Old Van Hunks on that fine day

To rest in the shade beneath a tree

And to thank the good Lord

For all things good

That life had brought his way

Yes he stopped a while to pray

Then taking out his pouch of favourite "twak"

And loading up his pipe of old oak wood

And lighting it did suck and puff

Upon it  as an old sea captain should

And clouds of smoke went up

all around

Yes indeed there was more than smoke enough to go around.

It was peaceful and so silent

Up upon the windy burg

No sound to hear save a mild wind a blowing.

Perhaps the chirping of a happy bird

Happy like Van Hunks- his heart a glowing

Who sat and gazed for hours

How long he had no way of knowing,

And just when he had the thought of heading home

He was stirred by a sudden sound

of footsteps

And was dismayed to think that he was not alone

And he turned to look around

A smiling man in black was dressed

Who grinned from ear to ear

"Good day Van Hunks,

I am glad and blessed

This day to meet you here"

The stranger he was quite well dressed

His beard was trimmed and neat

One would be most impressed

To meet such a fellow on the street

Captain Van Hunks was not sure quite what to say

For he was indeed surprised

To meet with company up on that peak

He looked the stranger in the eye

Hesitating to speak

For how could it be

It seemed so strange

How did this fellow know his name ?!

Van Hunks had no desire to be rude

Although he had hiked up here

For solitude

So he decided that to be polite was best

"Well good to meet you too!"-he beamed

And shook hands with his guest

But however sir, did you know my name ?

For your face I do not recall

I don't believe we have met

But all the same

Please do join me for a while

"Oh you don't know me

Yet I know you well

Van Hunks you are famous-

Don't you know?!

And most of all you are famous for

Those great clouds of smoke you blow.

I like a puff myself said he

Taking out a great tobacco sack

Filled with a great quantity

Of good quality aromatic twak

Said the stranger: "Well then let's see

Who can smoke the most

What's the wager Hunks? Its just you and me

I have heard it said you boast

And that no man can blow more smoke than you

On fairest Cape Town's coast !"

And just then the fellows hat fell off

And Van Hunks could plainly see

A pair of horns upon his head

Revealing his true identity

"I will wager you your soul, Van Hunks-

Said the Devil free from shame

And if I lose I will do your bidding

Pleased to meet you- won't you guess my name ?!

For if you win- here are the keys

That will lock me safe away

So let us smoke and let us see

Who is winner for the day

But if you lose -my friend

Well then you will surely pay

That your God helps you this time

For if you lose this wager

Then your soul will be all mine !

I am very sure that you don't joke

Said Van Hunks with a grin

I 'll wage you that I'll make a cloud of smoke

Even bigger than your sin

The wagers on you devil

And. You have no God to whom to pray

Let us smoke and may

The best man win today

So without more ado

Began the two

One two three on marks set go

Van Hunks his start was slow

For it was no easy thing to strike his match

As a strong wind began to blow

But soon his loaded pipe was lit

The old captain steadily puffed on it

Exhaling much smoke - a tremendous cloud

The devil saw and he avowed

To beat Van Hunks at their smoking game

He tried to cheat

And by deceit he produced a devilish magic flame

But an angel of the wind

He blew it out

And the Devil had to

 light his pipe again

They huffed and puffed with pipes full stuffed

The devil summoned every power of deceit

But however hard he puffed twas not enough

It was not sufficient to match and meet

Van Hunks's splendid smoky cloud

The captain grinned at the Prince of sin

And laughed with a triumphant snigger

For the captains smoke was great and proud

And clearly far the bigger.

And the devil fell down to his knees

For clearly he had lost the bet

And Van Hunks seized the keys

That would lock him soundly  in his evil pit-

You will do my bidding now ,the captain said,

Since you have lost this bet

And you have not gained my soul but instead

For the loser is you, the sinner,

For this day you will long  regret

For I have emerged the winner.

Are your lungs not the temple of God ?

Said the devil with a mischievous

Grin

That you pollute with endless smoke

This is indeed a sin,

So although I have not won your soul-

On that count you've won this time-

Yet I have won your tar-black lungs-

Your lungs they are all mine,

So never make a deal

 or bet with the devil,

For indeed you can never really win,

For he is master of all trickery,

He is no amateur when it comes to sin.

And whenever  the South Easter blows

And the table-cloth comes rolling oe'r Tafelberg,

Then parents tell their children

Come see ! Don't you know,

 the reason for this sight

That Van Hunks and the Devil

Are up on the mountain

Making clouds

a- puffing on their pipes ! :)

Devils Peak,
Cape Town, South Africa

Run Rhino Run .......Cape McLear Malawi , Copyright 2013

Run Rhino Run

Let your thundering stomp

  reverberate  among the mountains

Echoing your heartbeat

 like an angry African drum

Run, run far from the plunder

Or perish and be torn asunder.

Run, run, far from the stone hearted men with their rifles and guns.

Run. Run, runaway, run-away far, Across the Savannah,

beyond the furthest peaks and crags

Beyond the far-flung

 valleys and the hills

Far from the stench of money

Away from human sins and ills

They daily come to plague you,

 ache you, hunt you, haunt you,

taunt you, daunt you,

Run Run away ,surely you want to

,

Far far from those whose deeply frozen hearts

Measure your value by  your body parts,

And in their gain

subsisting in your pain,

They know not that they

sell themselves,

their souls are sold,

Only For your horn. more prized than gold.

Run, Rhino Run !! Flee far away,

Run far beyond the furthest hills.

There are greener fields in which to play,

Run to where no human greed,can ever leave you so

 to die alone

And slowly bleed,

Run to where your calf can roam,

Far from any human home

Run to where humanUNkind

Is the furthest from your mind.

Run run far, fly, flee , far

From this world,

Run, far away, far from these greedy men,

Fly to the stars,to the immortal realm from whence

Your timeless  spirit came,

And never-ever look back again

Mark Hurlin Shelton

Copyright Malawi 2013

A poem about nouns , Copyright 2014

I would like to tell you about these things called nouns,

Like 'Hope' and 'books' and 'flocks' and 'clowns',

A common noun refers to anything,

It's tangible , we can see and touch,

While an abstract noun is for an invisible something

- not a physical thing as such.

"Love" and "hope", we cannot put these in a box...

As we can a book, a boy, a toy, a fox.

A proper noun this is a name for a place or person, it's something real,

Like London, Tuesday, John or Mrs MacNeal,

Do take care to not forget a-

-Proper noun begins with a capital letter.

The collective noun refers to a group

Like a company of actors or performers in a troupe-

And their art may inspire our hearts

With the love and hope and feeling

That the abstract noun imparts,

Pronouns replace nouns they simplify,

Like "them" and "we" and "us" and "you" and "I",

Their relatives help us to relate -

"That" boy, "What"time, "which" man, "who"  went, "what" fate,

So nouns all add to our understandings

In telling us about the world of things.

So be sure to master nouns,

Like "Love"" and "Goose" and"Toys" and "Clowns. "

When alteration finds

This line of verse reminds
Will love still be love
Or will it alter when it
Alteration finds?

For should we not still be kind
When the light
 in the hearts of those we loved has dimmed?

Should we not be forgiving
And keep on giving
When those we  love  have sinned?

Let judgement be put a side
And mercy take its seat
Let us remember all that was innocent and good and sweet

And cherish it and love that  still
And find our peace
And restore good will.


For we are made of day and night
Of Rosepetal  and thorn-
 of laughs and tears and sighs
Of the same stuff as the birds in flight
Our very  essence is  delight
Yet we all  are made
Of angel feathers  and devil horn alike
Of flesh and blood
 and priceless mud we're born
To know  both   failure and  ability
 not only strength but  exquisite fragility

Just like the wings of butterflies
Or Iike a  babies delicate skin
 but we must grow and change
To be utterly rearranged-
And changed within

And all who're born into this world
 Just like the silkworms
We must weave our thread
We must be transformed
To  discover  our wings- unfurled

And so every human child that's born
Into this brief interlude in eternity
Must play our part
 To  it's end in mortal finality

So far we shuffle then no more
For we all must pass through the same eternal door
And leave beyond all for whom we're fond
And embrace the great unknown beyond


For a while  those left behind must weep
It's not easy to sever such a bond
But we must let those departed sleep
For life goes on and we must sing its song

We need  a time to weep
And a time to  remember
But not too  long should we linger
For  after that we must all move on.......
Let go- and let death sleep.