I
The Reeds rest in water by faith
You may recall Baby Moses' name
Or you may forget the Prince of Egypt
And his name, "Up from Reeds"
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS
Also sings to and in the Weeds
The Reeds that feed, sing, civilize us
As in Egypt of Papyri fame, flames
Of music remind us to remember
For we are wont to forget, forget, forget ...
Then Mole, Rat, Boy Otter will be Teachers
Ii
The music rises & falls among the Reeds
Ancient themselves, translators for us
From teachers from another Kingdom
We do remember, if we listen, above our din
That serenade the Presence, Healer-Helper
A name Hebrews knew in Exodus of Moses
Yahwah Rophikah, THE LORD MY HEALER
The Otter, the Mole, the Rat rarely forget
Even if they miss some of the words
That meander among the Reeds, rising ever
Lilting - seek my helping power, in that hour
Categories:
grahame, allegory, international, metaphor, music,
Form: Ekphrasis
I
Mr. R. was in rapt reverie
Mr. M rowed the boat
A last minute rescue mission
For otter gone over, for a Piper
Not Pied, but he may as well have been
Lured the junior from Mr. Portly O.
Otter senior, according to K. Grahame
II
Before messrs R & M (rat & mole) that is,
Found the young otter who'd gone missing
Causing grief to all back home, & Dad -
They found God: Awe, Presence, Friend & Helper
Led by the piping of a heavenly Piper
In the chapter of WIND IN THE WILLOWS named:
The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn
If a Rat & Mole can find God through Music,
What's your Excuse (no pressure, LOL!)
III
President Teddy Roosevelt wrote the author, 17 January 1909, from the White House, that he had come round to liking the (third) book by Kenneth Grahame. Most readers & critics, & the public resisted liking this book because of his earlier success (with two children's stories). Grahame's Rat, Mole, Badger, Toad, and Otters have become widely accepted & loved. Better late than never. Thx Teddy Bear Prez. (Prez. TR founded the US Wildlife Refuge system)
Categories:
grahame, adventure, allegory, for teens,
Form: Free verse