The Jester©Gary A. Lippincott
The Woodland Jester
I am a clown, but not a mere buffoon
That dances in the sacred, healthy wood
I dress my stage beneath the sun and moon
To speak for what is little understood
I revel with all creatures, great and small
I serenade the trees, the streams, the stars
I entertain at Nature’s beck and call
And plead to royal courts of kings and czars
For balance, common sense, and gentle hands
Intelligence that halts the sad misrule
Who show respect and love for forest lands
To prove that they are no one’s licensed fool
Don't let your folly pillage, rape, destruct
Our resources for unchecked, wicked greed
Let my tomfoolery and art instruct
Much wiser plans to which you may accede
Less chemical, mechanical, and loud
Enjoy the tempting music on the breeze
Be natural, organic, and more proud
Divest from wasteful products, slime, and sleaze
Seek out the Greenmen as they take the lead
Protecting ecosystems everywhere
Liberate our ancient, natural seed
Be of the people, let them know you care
I’m but the Woodland Jester with advice
I wish success to every living being
I hope my humble song and dance suffice
To inspire more joyous ways of seeing
***
Theo J. van Joolen©2013
That dances in the sacred, healthy wood
I dress my stage beneath the sun and moon
To speak for what is little understood
I revel with all creatures, great and small
I serenade the trees, the streams, the stars
I entertain at Nature’s beck and call
And plead to royal courts of kings and czars
For balance, common sense, and gentle hands
Intelligence that halts the sad misrule
Who show respect and love for forest lands
To prove that they are no one’s licensed fool
Don't let your folly pillage, rape, destruct
Our resources for unchecked, wicked greed
Let my tomfoolery and art instruct
Much wiser plans to which you may accede
Less chemical, mechanical, and loud
Enjoy the tempting music on the breeze
Be natural, organic, and more proud
Divest from wasteful products, slime, and sleaze
Seek out the Greenmen as they take the lead
Protecting ecosystems everywhere
Liberate our ancient, natural seed
Be of the people, let them know you care
I’m but the Woodland Jester with advice
I wish success to every living being
I hope my humble song and dance suffice
To inspire more joyous ways of seeing
***
Theo J. van Joolen©2013
Puck and a Fairy (from A Midsummer Night's Dream) by Arthur Rackham.
Songs from the Wood by IAN ANDERSON
Let me bring you songs from the wood
To make you feel much better than you could know.
Dust you down from tip to toe.
Show you how the garden grows.
Hold you steady as you go.
Join the chorus if you can:
It'll make of you an honest man.
Let me bring you love from the field:
Poppies red and roses filled with summer rain.
To heal the wound and still the pain
That threatens again and again
As you drag down every lover's lane.
Life's long celebration's here.
I'll toast you all in penny cheer.
Let me bring you all things refined:
Galliards and lute songs served in chilling ale.
Greetings well met fellow, hail!
I am the wind to fill your sail.
I am the cross to take your nail:
A singer of these ageless times.
With kitchen prose and gutter rhymes.
Songs from the wood make you feel much better.
Let me bring you songs from the wood
To make you feel much better than you could know.
Dust you down from tip to toe.
Show you how the garden grows.
Hold you steady as you go.
Join the chorus if you can:
It'll make of you an honest man.
Let me bring you love from the field:
Poppies red and roses filled with summer rain.
To heal the wound and still the pain
That threatens again and again
As you drag down every lover's lane.
Life's long celebration's here.
I'll toast you all in penny cheer.
Let me bring you all things refined:
Galliards and lute songs served in chilling ale.
Greetings well met fellow, hail!
I am the wind to fill your sail.
I am the cross to take your nail:
A singer of these ageless times.
With kitchen prose and gutter rhymes.
Songs from the wood make you feel much better.
