A PARROT BECKONS

[BeeJay]

A PARROT BECKONS

With a skip & jump I went to Convent School
Twin pigtails swayed over grass & plains
Sometimes I caught the bus to school
At times I met a parrot & bunked school.

This Parrot was special, a friend of mine
Ever so happy to see me with a smile
He gurgled and squawked a great hello
Caged beneath the steps of a pavilion’s stand

Its guardian, old, bent and senile too
Still droned on & on to ask at last
Why play I, truant from Convent School
I’d shriek “Holiday from Math ” at School.
The hours I spent were sublime ones
The Parrot knew this could not last
I made it back to home on time each time
Spanked for sure when School levied a fine.

And with not many to support the cause
Farewell came with tears that red ears bring
Polly the Parrot was my only childhood fling
Last I saw Polly hopping, legs tied to a string.

By Baru Gobira 2004