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