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
