A Fable Poem by Steven B Taylor

Humorous

A Fable

Opus 6

Wicked Old Nick is so cunningly humming,
a tune that he happened to know,
As high on a hill he is vigorously strumming,
his guitar, while watching the river's swift flow.

'How can I get across the river's fast torrent, '
he thought, as he looked at the Village below,
'And enter the bank vault without any warrant,
my progress impeded is painfully slow.'

Old Nick checked the shores with eyes that were haunted,
and found an old branch that would make a good pole.
He dashed for the river with courage undaunted,
Leaped high, pushed the long pointed stick in a hole.

Up over the water he flew like an eagle,
Pushed high by the swing of his pole.
In mid-stream a sickening crack was a signal,
he'd misjudged the distance from take-off to shoal.

His body was taken downstream by the current
To much calmer waters far over the falls.
The moral this message is telling this moment.
To master the river one doesn't need gall.

Oh, courage is needed, and planning, and aim.
They all will be there to attend to the game.
Good sense and great virtue may help you obtain,
But good luck at the moment's what leads to the gain.

Steven B. Taylor
May 21,1997