Odyssey From Africa 15c

Odyssey from Africa 15c (Southland, continued...) Being rich in skill and talent He soon gained the feel and measure Of the boomerang’s employment Sent it arching near the treetops Then returning where it started As the king looked on, admiring “I will surely take this wing-form On our journey to the Southland” Han prepared to give the king the Boomerang, but he refused it Saying that instead his scholars Would inspect and test the object So that they themselves could make it Learn the method of its forming “Now” King Ptolemy continued “Let me take you to my shipyard” Han and Kwona and the children Then were guided by the monarch And his retinue of warriors Out beyond the palace gardens Through the streets of Cannabarro Where they crossed a crowded market Thronged by farmers and by merchants Loudly calling out for business “Get some charcoal for your barbie!” “Finest jars of amber nectar!” “Come and get your liquor quicker From the fellas at the cellars!” And on Han and all his family This all made a great impression They had never seen a market Of such size and such aggression In promotion of the produce Or such wonderful assortment Of the items being traded There were clothing and utensils Myriad in form and purpose Fruits and vegetables and fishes Flesh and bone and living creatures Dogs for working or for leisure But the King still led them onwards Trying to avoid distraction Past impressive streets and houses Walking downhill to the sea front Soon they walked on open grassland At the margin of the city Where some menfolk were engaging In a sporting recreation Running up and down the meadow Throwing back and forth an object Like a coconut in profile Calling out with shouts and laughter Kwona and her daughter Lisa Were transfixed in their attention At the clothes these men were wearing At their short close-fitting trousers Moving on, the royal party Reached at last a busy quayside There were ships of all descriptions Fishing boats and trading barges Being loaded and unloaded By assorted groups of workers They continued swiftly onward Till they reached the Royal Dockyard That was closed to private vessels And to fishermen and traders Ringed by fences and a gateway Through which now they made their entrance And at once they saw the vessel Saw the ship the king was building In its size by far the largest Han had seen in all the kingdom https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-Africa-adventures-Phil-Salmon/dp/197392479X