(Stanzas in brackets from 'Vespers' by A.A. Milne)
Once parents read with pride to their offspring,
As ‘Once upon a times’ would brightly bring
Book magic told to wide and trusting eyes
From new rainbows to a prince in frog disguise.
(Hush! Hush! Whisper who dares!
Christopher Robin is saying his prayers.)
Once children said prayers in their classrooms
And revered teachers as sages’ rich blooms,
And like Christopher Robin kneel by beds
to love kin folk as gold tapestry threads.
(God bless Mummy. I know that's right.
Wasn't it fun in the bath tonight?)
Once mothers let their children play at home
In backyards with their friends’ houses to roam,
To play chasings, hopscotch and hide-and-seek
With home made cars, and tadpoles in the creek.
(The cold so cold, and the hot so hot.
God bless Daddy - I quite forgot!)
Now TV flashes violence and hate,
Adolescents’ nightmares damn their own fate.
Fathers can’t get through ‘drugs will not bring awe’
And some girls prostitute and break the law.
(Oh! Thank you God for the lovely day
and what was the other I had to say?)
Now teenagers roam as storms flash sorrows
No fear of stealing cars or tomorrows.
With throwing rocks and pillage for a dare
Their parents ripped apart by their despair.
(I said God bless Daddy', so what could it be?
Now I remember, it’s God bless me.)
Now ‘Once upon a times and prayers dead
Replaced by the technical age instead.
Morals of storybooks once worked their charm.
Should we call this progress or MASS ALARM?
(Hush! Hush! Whisper who dares!
Christopher Robin is saying his prayers.)
Karin Anderson © 2017