PARABLEPSIS

Proud Princess Penelope

a Pink Champagne personality,

distractedly

peered out of leaded lights

set in the palace window frame

onto the yard’s deep well below,

their source of fresh pure water

which fed the regal drinking fountain.



In her palm she held a precious pearl

beyond great price,

a present from her fond father

King Polydorus,

a jolly whisky and soda man;

suddenly the mightiest minnow,

one amongst many myriads

maintained to keep the water pure,

fit for quenching parched royal throats,

leaped up from the dark depths!



surprised like a spry sparrow

who suddenly spies a stalking cat

she dropped her pearl,

it fell into the abyss, plop!.



alarmed she called her father,

who calmly told a fisher boy

a buck fizz lad,

renowned for his great diving skill,

“plunge like hell into the well boy!

search pell-mell until you find

my daughter’s precious pearl!”

pearl fisher boy obeyed,

he held his lusty breath,

like a gutsy gull he plunged,

splash!

below the surface

soon he saw the precious pearl

and proudly picked it up.



there was riotous rejoicing,

and ribald revelry

amongst the relieved royals,

even Queen Mnemosyne

a gin and tonic dame

was quaintly amused;

now the pearl had been retrieved,

the once sad princess

glowed with gladness

she swore never again