Official Discussion Forum for the works of Stephen R. Donaldson
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The Box
by Lascelles
Once upon a time in the land of Hush-a-bye
Around about the wondrous days of yore
They came across a sort of box
Bound up with chains and locked with locks
And labeled, “Kindly Do Not Touch - It’s War.”
Decree was issued round about
All with a flourish and a shout
And a gaily colored mascot tripping lightly on before
“Don’t fiddle with this deadly box
Or break the chains or pick the locks
And please don’t ever play about with war.”
Well the children understood
Children happen to be good
And they were just as good around the time of yore
They didn’t try to pick the locks
Or break into that deadly box
They never tried to play about with war.
Mommies didn’t either
Sisters, Aunts, or Grannies neither
Cause’ they were quiet and sweet and pretty
In those wondrous days of yore.
Well, very much the same as now
And not the ones to blame somehow
For opening up that
deadly box of war.
But someone did
Someone battered in the lid
And spilled the insides
out across the floor.
A sort of bouncy bumpy ball
Made up of flags and guns and all
The tears and horror and death
That goes with war.
It bounced right out
And went bashing all about
And bumping into every thing in store.
And what was sad and most unfair
Is that it really didn’t seem to care
Much who it bumped
or why,
or what,
or for.
It bumped the children mainly
And I’ll tell you this quite plainly
It bumps them everyday
And more and more.
And leaves them sad and burned and dying
Thousands of them sick and crying
Cause’ when it bumps it’s
really very sore.
Now there’s a way to stop the ball
It isn’t difficult at all
All it takes is wisdom
And I’m absolutely sure
That we could get it back into the box
And bind the chains and lock the locks
But no one seems to want
to save the children anymore.
Well, that’s the way it all appears
Cause’ it’s been bouncing round for years and years
In spite of all the wisdom wiz’
Since those wondrous days of yore…
In the time they came upon a box
Bound up with chains and locked with locks
And labeled, “Kindly Do Not Touch - It’s War”
©1971 by Lascelles
Recited by John Denver and released on his
1971 album “Poems, Prayers, and Promises.”
Don't do it, Montressor!Montresor wrote:Have pretty much finished my entry. The only thing is, having thought about it, I'm somewhat reluctant to enter it. My only real reason is that the contest stipulates the myth should be "larger than life". To say mine is low-key is an understatement. Furthermore, it's a little more akin to a folk tale than an epic.
(i recently told, from memory, that piece to Av in chatbane)
*nodding*an Carraig wrote:uh....Av....check out the piece pam posted!! is that weirdly bizarre or what????
G-ds Cyn...you're asking me to think back 37 years...an Carraig wrote:ok pammy, fess up, where'd you HEAR that piece. i know where I heard it but i want to know if you heard it from the same source as i did.
...oh...my...g-ds...Stonemaybe wrote:Edit - it wasn't a box, menolly, it was a giant teddy-bear.....
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqZtWzPNEJw
i think it was Poems & Prayers & Promises.I also know it by heart, except for the second stanza about the mascot. I always blow that one. I have never seen The Box on a karaoke list. I usually tell the DJ I'll be reciting a poem first and will look their way when I'm ready for them to cue One Tin Soldier.Lucimay wrote:YEP!!! john denver!!! keeeyrect!!!! we are nerds of equal nerdishness!!
however, i might be nerdier than you. i know it by heart!!!
I also think it was recently. About 4 months ago. Maybe 5. Not many people consider that recent. *shrug*uKulwa wrote:Are you the Goddess of Peace? Or of Light?
*nodding*Calais wrote:Any more cryptic hints, Xar?
I hope you feel better quickly.Xar wrote:I'm sorry, but I've been really sick for the last few days, so turn processing is going slowly... I'll give you something as soon as I have something interesting to give
Allfather A-Zinc. Order yours now, folks, for the deity in your life.
