Stencilled

SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY

http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/2010/10/shadow-shot-sunday-126.html

STENCILLED

When I left the factory, painted a bright yellow,

I thought myself to be quite plain, a very boring fellow.

I saw vans and trucks on High Street, with emblems on their sides,

Taking burly working-men for very important rides.

There were plumbers, gardeners, tilers too, and even a few vets,

Whose vehicles were painted with such dinky little pets.

The colours were so vivid, the emblems were so bright,

That my plain yellow body seemed to look an awful sight.

How I yearned for decoration, just a little, on the side!

I pulled-in here, beneath the trees and hung my head and cried.

And, all at once, I saw them, the patterns etched in black

Along my bonnet and my side, reaching almost to the back!
Look! There's a little horse painted on my side!
He looks very lively! Almost good enough to ride!

Just for one brief moment, I felt I'd made the grade,

With shapes (I'm sure I see a horse) so charmingly displayed.

But he'll return and turn the key. My illusion will be destroyed.

If he parks here tomorrow, I'll be overjoyed.

*

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GOOD RIDDANCE!

I'm grateful that when we came from the trees,
There was a certain element of cost.
One little bone remaining
As our jungle life was waning,
Reminded us of tails that we had lost.

Imagine if they hadn't disappeared!
And our tails were still in evidence today!
Our energy would flag
As we had to drape and drag
While the wretched thing kept getting in the way!

All designer clothes would need an aperture
Where the tail in all its glory could be seen!
Would we deck it out with bows
Maybe rows and rows and rows,
To enhance its perfect symmetry and sheen?

And insurance! There's another awful thought!
If we tripped each other up who then would pay?
We'd have to come to grips
With those tail-gating trips
As we found tails always getting in the way.

And tails would get so soggy in the rain
As they dragged in puddles as we walked along.
Each one would look a freak,
No more elegant and sleek,
The whole effect would be completely wrong!

I guess we might like hanging from the trees
A miniscule advantage, seems to me.
We might just hang and chat
Talking of this and that
But headaches might prevent verbosity.

A tail would be a hindrance, not a help.
The thought of it is absolutely hateful.
Evolution did us proud,
So now I say out loud
"I haven't got a tail and I am grateful!"
*