ALTAMONT THE GENIE

It is, some would say, one of the most reviled,
Ooky, phenomena of the haunted woods, an
unloved genie known to millions as Altamont.

Take a trip down to the green riverbank hollow
You will see this eerie specter sitting alone, absence
of sound with his mushy cheeks and cloying voice.

Altamont the genie was sent away for a very long time.
This genie unwisely granted a request to one who asked
That all of the world’s music be stopped, to play no more.

The world, they say, has come a long way since
They sent Altamont to this wood. The Mayor and
Sheriff insisted that the music would go on.

It proved to be unconvincing and the world followed
with a quarter of an hour of silence.

Day at the County Fair

Well it wasn’t daytime at all; it was late evening, to be sure.
But all day smelled of funnel cakes and that thrill of the fair.

We ate corn dogs and deep fried Oreos
Enjoyed birch beer and wine ice cream

We had fun swinging on rides and other whirligigs
That go ‘round and ‘round in a frenzied white blur

We touched horses, met cows, said “What ho,”
To a group of alpacas, fed bunnies and piggies.

We watched a sheep get shorn
And a piglet get washed in milk

We thought the day was a tremendous success
With all of the music, dancing, eating and fun

But the most wonderful part of the whole fair
Was seeing a new born calf take it’s first steps

He was born just 3 hours before, and since we live
in the big city a new born cow is something to see.

His mother was licking him clean, his eyes glazed
With the bright lights of the merry-go-round crowd
Who gathered around they’re stable. She was very
Tired as she nudged him with her tongue to stand

DAY AT THE COUNTY FAIR

And for a few minutes he just sat there, looking out
As if this was not a very nice thing to do, this standing
Thing. He was quite content on the floor, in the hay
And if he could, he wouldn’t mind going back home.

Then, he popped his front legs up, and he tottered a bit
Moving to flex muscles he had never used before
Felt things he did not like, but felt the urge to pop
Up his back legs. And then he fell right into the hay.

Mother cow was encouraging him on with her nose
While he sat and thought about trying this once again.
His front legs got up, then a struggle, once more a fall
Then a flash, he jumped right up on all four shaky legs!

He was up and we all cheered aloud.
This was so very exciting to witness.

Here was a newborn on his feet
At a fair with a gathered crowd

To see the new sparks of life
Flash brighter than fireworks.

The fortunes of Altamont may be stuck in the riverbank hollow
but the only way is up. If anyone should ask, it would say
All someone has to do is pick up an instrument and play