Cogs

 

MAGPIE TALES

http://magpietales.blogspot.com.au 

supplied the illustration

COGS

They were buried by the billions

Deep down underground,

Those un-named cogs of history

That helped the world go round.

Once they laughed and breathed and toiled

As alive as you or I,

But they were just the 'commoners'

Not the mighty or the high.

The Kings were silly mortals too,

No better than the rest;

They resembled 'cogs' themselves,

When they were seen undressed!

But they had crowns and palaces

And each sat on a throne;

That's why they are remembered

And the 'cogs' are just unknown.

When we learn our History,

Which is often quite absurd,

We learn of Algernon the Great

Or Marmaduke the Third.

But Tom, the blacksmith is unknown

And the details of his life,

And even of less interest

Is the tale of Meg, his wife.

We, too, are faceless people,

At least that's the majority;

We're common folk without the bloom

Of money and authority.

But we have our digital cameras,

Our videos and our blogs;

At least we'll leave a smudge behind

Even though we're only 'cogs'.

*

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WANDERING WHEEL

Old greyhounds are adopted and lead a life of ease,

And here's an ancient wagon-wheel pensioned-off beneath the trees.

How many miles has it trundled, on rough and bumpy tracks?

How many horses has it known; poor disregarded hacks?

How many rainstorms have lashed it; how many storms with thunder?

How many boiling, baking suns has it had to suffer under?

Has it known the Australian Outback, or some dingy city street?

Does it find being an ornament a bore or rather sweet?

Does it miss its fellow wheels, now scattered far and wide?

Is Caroline's garden constricting? Does it miss the countryside?

I'm getting rather maudlin! I hope you're shedding a tear!

Dry your eyes and just enjoy this rustic atmosphere!

*

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PS

My American friend, Margaret, may be interested to know that she very nearly shares her birthday with the Sydney Harbour Bridge! It celebrated its 80th birthday yesterday. This is how Google celebrated it!