Saturday 9 April 2016

that kookaburra song...




feathers
furs and
two-legged fablers

I have gathered you here today
as a matter of
urgency
long overdue

it's about our song

our kookaburra song
so famous
world-wide

yes

I know
you got to sing it
SING IT

kookaburra sits on the old gum tree
merry merry king of the bush is he
laugh kookaburra, laugh kookaburra
gay your life must be

now that will do
no - not again
let's move on

it's that first line of the song


most only hear the gum tree part

think of gum tree
there's the kookaburra
but that's not strictly true
most have overlooked OLD gum tree
we love to perch on leafless branches
it could be a gum tree
seeing that there are so many in Australia
but it could also be
any tree with a dead branch
all nice and curvy and long
to fit our family
we like to get around together

if we look as if we are alone
in actual fact
family is rather close nearby

and let me show you something


yes
we are rather partial to rotating clothes lines
and even enjoy a good spin
on a windy day


but wait
there's more

did you know

there are more verses to that song

believe me

it gets worse

here's the words


kookaburra sits on the old gum tree
eating all the gum drops he can see
stop kookaburra, stop kookaburra
save some there for me

stop laughing
I know
hilarious
crazy

gum drops

who eats gum drops
not us
and what are they anyway

but I'm not done

there's one last verse

kookaburra sits on the old gum tree
counting all the monkeys he can see
laugh kookaburra, laugh kookaburra
that's not a monkey, that's me

now I ask you

stop laughing

get over it

I ask you

since when are there wild monkeys in Australia
every one knows
in Australia
see a monkey
see a zoo

how ridiculous is that verse


I am so glad those two last verses

are barely known

let's keep it that way

shall we

I'd like to return once more to the first verse

the king of the bush part
that line is a bit dated
we kookaburras now are quite at home in suburbia

we love to catch some worms in your gardens, fablers

we don't mind if you join
our little friendship group

so

what to do about that song
the famous first verse

let's fix it shall we

so it's more in tune with our times

I suggest the following


kookaburra sits in a leafless tree
wise old king of the world is he
laugh kookaburra, laugh kookaburra
how fun your world must be


Do I hear a cheer

A little cheer

A clap from fablers
perhaps

anyone

anyone



Poetry Form: dramatic monologue


NOTES
The Kookaburra Song was written by Marion Sinclair in 1932.
She wrote it for a contest held by the Victorian Girl Guides
and introduced it at the World Jamboree in 1934.
It became a hit.


Linking to:
Imaginary Garden With Real Toads - Transforming with Nature's Wonders

13 comments:

Rosemary Nissen-Wade said...

Cheer!!! Clap!!!

Outlawyer said...

Very charming, Gemma--do you live in Australia? There was a kind of jollity about the dialogue that was much appreciated by me at the moment! Thanks. k.

Kerry O'Connor said...

I have only seen a Kookaburra once, and that in the London Zoo where it was perched on a bare branch, looking cold and out of place. I'd far rather see them free in an old gum tree, and even if not see them, know them to be free.

Ellecee said...

What a dear little bird, love the pics, I used to see them during my time in Australia. Your poem is so much fun and informative too. I like your 'modernizing' of the old verse.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

It was very cool, learning about the kookaburra. This was a fun read. It made me smile.

Hannah said...

What a joyful jaunt with the Kookaburra!! Thank you, so much for adding its (your) song to the challenge, Gemma!

brudberg said...

Oh I have never seen a kookaburra but he sounds like such a joyous fellow... Here we have other birds that are just about to wake up...

Sanaa Rizvi said...

This is so beautiful..!!

Anonymous said...

clap, clap, clap!!!!! well done little bird

Susie Clevenger said...

What a beautiful visit from the Kookaburra.

Sumana Roy said...

I haven't seen a kookaburra, so from your poem I went straight to youtube to experience that laughter...a lovely write...

Rommy said...

This gave me such a good giggle. Good for you kookaburra for setting the record straight for us silly humans!

Bekkie Sanchez said...

Clapping with great enjoyment! What a wonderful and fun write. I have never heard of the song how cute! I think it's high time it's changed too. What a lovely little bird you picked to write about! Bravo!

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