Pixies in the City, part. I: Journey Begins, the Park, the Museum.
Dew and Drop, two pixies frantic
Great energy unbound
Said Pixie-King, “Just one more antic,
“I’ll tie you to the ground!”
“Great Pixie-King, we so revere
Don’t blame us for our fire
We fuel on tricks, good fun, and cheer
It’s adventure we desire!”
“Dear children,” said the Pixie-King
“I know so well your plight
Your nature bids you soar and sing
In every creature you delight!
As humans often make their tracks
On trails through our land bend
To their realm, to view their acts
You as students I will send.”
“Oh, Great Adirondack-Lord!
We thank you with our hearts
For, frankly we were getting bored
For we know so well these parts”
“But I will warn, you must observe
The city will amaze
Beware your pranks and check your verve
Be careful of your ways!
To humans, do not come too near
They posses a different guile,”
Before the King made himself clear
Dew and Drop had flown a mile!
“Our realm at night, the edge we cross
To seek the world outside
But have you a clue, I’m at a loss
Where does glimmer-city hide?
We follow thundering herd below
That runs with circled-feet
At night they travel, eyes aglow
On road they call concrete.”
Then Dew and Drop pursued quite close
And chased a boisterous beast
Then breathed a most unhealthy dose
Of air they liked the least
“I do not like this noxious mist
My sight, disturbed and grey
Drop coughed and sneezed and roughly hissed
Let’s fly to water-way!”
A better path for Dew and Drop
Awaited them quite near
They crossed a field of farmer’s crop
Once more their vision clear
“What most majestic, wondrous course
Father River guides us true
This feels much like our woodland force
We’ll float on breeze straight through.”
As our pixies, dreary-dazed
Lofted on the gentle breeze
Lifted wings, while they praised
Sweet moments such as these
“What giant bird on Father’s back?
Or winged-whale does ride?
Wind fills the great wing like a sack
Bright flags wave on the side.”
Dew swooped to play with streaming banner
Drop bounced off wind-blown wing
They frolicked in a pixie-manner
Beneath full moon, began to sing
Brother whale, eye opened wide
Beamed warm and piercing glow
But what is this? A man inside?
Emerged from room below.
A swimming-house, not whale, nor swan
That stopped while man did lurk
He folded wing that soon was gone
Tossed hook to end his work
“What magic comes from humans, here?
In water they may dwell
Great city, not their only sphere
My mind rings like a bell!
Oh Drop, to yonder field we fly
This journey’s just begun
Let’s follow treetops up on high
And bask in rising sun.”
Then pixies two soared as the lark
To seek out different play
And came upon most wondrous park
At the dawning of the day
“What gentle lake so blue and calm
With pleasant fountain mist
It soothes like a most fragrant balm
For some sleep, I must insist!”
So Dew and Drop laid down to rest
Upon a lily flower
With anxious thoughts, they did their best
To slumber but an hour
Awakened by a human horde
Most laughter-filled and free
With mind’s eye, they walked toward
A stage for all to see
“Oh Dew, they seem a jolly crowd
Their actions do confound
But hark, they’re still, and no more loud
As they sit upon the ground.”
When nothing moved for minutes few
Except humans and their plates
Drop felt the pang of hunger too
That sight of food creates
“Let us fly to honey dew
And drink our bellies full
For I’m not sure what’s here to do
These humans are too dull.”
When Dew and Drop did have their fill
Of nectar rich and sweet
Returned they did to platformed hill
On the way to their retreat
“But what appears from window fair
From which dim light does glow
What prince in wonder does so stare
In garden down below?”
Mezmerized by beauty rare
Dew and Drop took pause
“Oh Romeo, Romeo! filled the air
They dropped their little jaws.
“What fairy-beauty in human form
She must be revered queen
Her voice serene, and elf-like warm
Let’s stay in woodland green”
So Dew and Drop absorbed by magic
Shed tears at every scene
When fair lady slept, for Drop too tragic
Dew had to intervene
“Awake fair queen, embrace this life
And drink my pixie dust
Remain to stay the prince’s wife
To rule this realm, you must!”
Fair maiden then began to twitch
Dew became most pleased
From death to life she will now switch
Then suddenly, she sneezed!
From humans sounded quiet moan
Our Lady’s eyes showed terror
Arose from stoney bed to say,
“Forgive me for this error!”
The pixies two, perplexed anew
By such a strange behaviour
She lives because the caring Dew
Became her woodland saviour
“Once jolly crowd begins to ramble
This dream is once unsure
See how hastily they scramble
This place has lost allure.”
Flew fast away our forest friends
Across beloved lake
To seek adventure till it ends
Whatever it must take
“Majestic palace, wondrous halls
I see straight in our flight!
What Wizard dwells within those walls?
Come playful friend and sprite!”
Upon the stairs of palace great
Where Dew and Drop did hover
Humans gathered, stood in wait
What treasures to discover?
“Let’s follow pilgrims through this portal
My pixie-sense does shiver
What lies within, beyond mere mortal?
My wings are all a-quiver!”
Dew and Drop then darted through
The door to stunning treasure
Dazzling objects came in view
Such beauty beyond measure
“What kings and queens of milk white hue
Do stand in time so frozen
Is this the work of witch’s brew?
Why were these captured chosen?”
“I know not why this judgment came
But I feel a pixie’s sorrow
These lovely princes, movement tame
Shall live beyond tomorrow.”
“Had I but stronger pixie dust
Could give livliness to stone
I’d free this lady from her rust
Return her to her throne.”
Dew and Drop left sullen room
And whisked through golden halls
Where objects shone like springtime bloom
Dreamlike visions on the walls
“What glorious sights in crafted border
These colors do bedazzle!
Surface light, mystic disorder
I must pause, my mind’s a frazzle.”
Sweet pixies sat on golden edge
To take much needed rest
Heard human to a small group pledge,
“That’s Corot at his best!”
“I do believe, said Drop to Dew
King Corot has magic power
Feelings strange, are they in you?
How he captures lake and flower!”
“What pale goddess in calm repose
By gentle light blue sea
Like Elven maid, a blooming rose
Intoxicated, free!”
“Such sacred crafts by human hand
Did you know such could exist?
We must see more, let’s understand
By magic we are kissed.”
Dew and Drop then softly cried,
Bewildered they did feel
Floated dazed until they spied
Such calm that seemd unreal
A smaller view then did appear
Serenity unveiled
Young woman stood at window clear
Through which soft sunlight sailed
“I almost feel her breath on air
Behold her silken clothes?
See the light from pitcher flare
Her face with wisdom glows.”
“She beams with quiet strength and pride
Deliberate, content
And harbors secret deep inside
Emotional event?”
“Dew, I feel we’ve much to learn
Of beauty and shared sphere
How my desire now does burn
As wise troll or mystic seer.”
Dew and Drop then gently sighed
And both seemed to agree
That it was time to go outside
Much more there is to see
Flew they did back out the door
In sunlit park, attractive
And saw upon the ringed-road
Parade of humans, active
“What throng is here, determined mind
What game has here begun?
A closer look we’ll take behind
Perhaps we may have fun!”
From head to head did pixies flit
In frolic, darting chases
On funny hats the two would sit
To tickle human faces
When all at once a rumbling sound
Evolved at shot of gun
The humans’ feet began to pound
As they started all to run
“What noise is this, what new commotion?
I’m dizzy, can’t see through
I’m rolling, tossing in this ocean
Where are you, friendly Dew!?”
“I can barely hear you, Drop
I bounce from chest and waist
My head is spinning like a top
This game’s not to my taste!”
In steamy dew and bodies’ heat
They tumbled and were trapped
And when they tried so to retreat
They fumbled as wings flapped
Our woodland friends began to fright
And lost their pixie-smiles
At last they grabbed on shirts so tight
And rode for 13 miles!
When their steeds in time did halt
They tumbled to the grass
“In this game, I don’t exalt!
We’re still and calm, alas!”
“Our King did warn of human trick
To safely keep our distance
Their cunning is surprising, quick
Should we question our persistence?”
“The fault was ours, I’d clearly say
At mischief we were caught
What’s done is done, let’s go our way
A lesson we were taught!”
The pixies napped in leafy shade
In welcome wooded-glen
Their energy began to fade
They’ll sleep till who knows when?
TO BE CONTINUED in Part Two
Theo van Joolen2009©NY USA