In Islington
did Great Aunt Min
keep a pub
she called an inn.
And there, within,
in golden cage
a regal bird
(then all the rage),
a parakeet
elective mute.
Though quite absurd,
no syllable
would pass its beak
until it heard
the magic words:
"Time, if you please!
Time ladies and
good gentlefolk!
Ti..i..ime... if you please!"
At which the bird
would stretch and shake
and lift its beak
as if to say
"Who reckons me
too dumb to speak?"
And loudly then,
with raucous squawk
would demonstrate
his fruity talk:
"Aint you buggers
got no homes?
Aint you buggers
got no homes?
Aint you buggers
got no homes?"
until Aunt Min
turned out the light
and locked them in
to pass the night,
when meek and mild
as any child
he'd settle down
and wait for her
to cover him.
One of those funny stories of life and living turned into a poem. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThe bird is her good friend and speaks for her, isn't it? Cute and a little melancholy.
ReplyDeleteHahaha! :)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! *chuckles*
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
This poem really conjures up a picture for me (and sound).
ReplyDeleteThe great glorious nursery rhymes in the background is what I feel here, I particularly enjoyed the adjective "fruity" connected to the bird's words.
ReplyDeleteI could just imagine the parakeet squawking his fruity talk in a crowded noisy inn :-).
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I do remember having a parakeet when I was a kid. Tippy was a blue parakeet. She never was much (not at all, if truth be told) into talking!
ReplyDeleteHehehe, this parakeet was smart: he only spoke when needed, hehehe.
ReplyDeleteI really like your cute humour.
:)))
smiles. this was a delight to read...still smiling...nice one dave...
ReplyDeleteFantastic! This sort of reminds of the parrot in East of Eden that curses despite the Godliness of its caretaker!
ReplyDeleteChristine
ReplyDeleteThanks for saying this.
haricot
Not sure that's how I've always seen it. Just a bit of fun.
Jinksy
Well, yes, you have to laugh!
Rose
Strange in a way - she was a most forbidding lady. Always dressed in black. And in those days it was a rough area.
HyperCRYPTICal
Good you thought so.
Cait
That, too, is good to hear. Thanks.
Tommaso
Nursery Rhymes, yes! I go with that.
Windsmoke
There's certainly room to let the imagination rip, I agree.
Mary
To the best of my knowledge this bird said nothing beyond what I've recorded.
Dulcina
Many thanks for this. I think the bird had a nice little number there.
Brian
Thanks - returning the smiles.
Lolamouse
True. Like the comparison.
I love this - pas devant les enfants - ou les perroquets, n'est-ce pas?
ReplyDeleteI don't think there would ever have been children there. It really was a rough old place.
ReplyDeleteGreat that Aunt Min had the bird for last call - even those with a little too much ale couldn't begrudge a talking parakeet. My Mom had parakeets when I was growing up (centuries ago), and they all talked.
ReplyDeleteReally cheered me up!
ReplyDeleteHehehe :)
OMG, I ADORE this poem - and that saucy bird! Hilarious. My grandma taught her budgie to say a lot of words: Good morning! Breakfast! And Dont be nervous......about 50 phrases. Smart little critters.
ReplyDelete