The Nuckleberry

There are times in life when we deal with strife And are helpless to the powers that be. Where we are sequestered by doubt... and still tossed about By others who are happy to see. But right from the start, I beg you take heart And read of one who is stalwart and brave. As it never conceals... its refusal to yield And would respond forcefully or go to its grave. So prepare for the glory as I reveal its story And tell your children how it never conformed. When a figure of note... would no longer emote To the vestige of societal norms. "They will not be spared," the Nuckleberry gravely declared In a vile and tremulous tone. "They have poked the wrong beast... as I plan to lovingly feast On what will be left of their contemptible bones. The offense had been great and it wasn't too late For the Nuckleberry to unveil its wrath. It would put up a fight... and think through the night As revenge seemed the logical path. Now the Nuckleberry is prone to cast the first stone When slighted by others who dare. And will cause quite a show... when it lands the first blow On those it hopes to impair. "I will not be denied," as the Nuckleberry fielded a cry To a friend who had stopped by for tea. "I will not be swayed... they will long rue the day When they failed to let me just be." Now the friend was confused on who was accused And asked the Nuckleberry what had transpired. "You seem quite upset... but still haven't said yet, The form of the enemy you hope to retire?" "Are you just being dense to cause me offense?" Said the Nuckleberry with a an obvious shriek. "I couldn't be anymore plain... to their insidious game That has forced me to hunt those I seek." The Nuckleberry seemed mad so the friend would not ask As his reluctance was tempered with fear. So he would stop with his chatter... and not push on the matter And wait for the issue to clear. The friend started to yawn as the Nuckleberry rambled on About a vengeance both remorseless and cold. And by dawn's early light... there would be a one sided fight With its revenge quite the sight to behold. Still not knowing the deed, the friend was intrigued And asked that he might share in the quest. The Nuckleberry agreed... but begged him take heed, Their courage would be put to the test. The morning was cold but the Nuckleberry was bold And told its friend of a will to commit. Where it hoped to address... a most rigorous test, Its perspicuousness for valor and grit. The Nuckleberry put forth in a boisterous chorus How its friend would long remember this day. When justice was taught... to those who were not The right sort to cause it dismay. The two traveled a while, just short of ten miles When its bravery was now taking a rest. It soon started to fret... causing its forehead to sweat And was now under considerable stress. It now stood by the door of a place long abhorred And a tinge of fear now troubled its soul. As they entered the place... so full of disgrace, The Nuckleberry lost sight of its goal. It lost all bravado and became afraid of its shadow As it joined other wimpish sheep in a line. And lost all its powers... as it waited four hours For a clerk to give it some time. The Nuckleberry said, "You have declared my legally dead and as you see, I'm clearly alive. But the IRS clerk... said with a shirk and a smirk, "Our report shows you recently died." This went on a while with the clerk not changing her style Leaving the Nuckleberry battered and shaken. She said the issue was through... and there was nothing to do As the IRS is never mistaken. The friend witnessed it all and watched the Nuckleberry crawl And felt a mixture of pity and shame. But knew the powers that be... will do as they pleased Because to them it's only a game. Now I have to say sorry because at the start of this story I thought the Nuckleberry would do rather well. But as you see... this was not meant to be As it quickly folded and slithered back to its shell. The End *For those who are interested. I will be posting my cartoon Bob's your Uncle' on my homepage. A new one will appear every second day or so.