jonesduncan

[jonesduncan]

The Electrician and the Lawyer

by Duncan Jones When the electrician met the lawyer He said, “I'm in a spot! I'll do what you say, and I can pay To get rid of this wife I got!” Said the lawyer in response, “Well, I've recently retired It won't be cheap, but I can sweep Away what has you mired So paperwork was drafted With a smile a check was cut The lawyer worked acting like a jerk The electrician was freed from his rut Then not much time had passed When the lawyer called him back “I hope you'll agree this time, help me Your skills are those that I lack An electrician, no, I am not But I'm afraid I'm in a spot I don't want to sell, but I can't tell How to fix up this house that I got!” Said the electrician in response, “Let me take a look,” and he did A look he took, he sketched in his book And he showed the lawyer his bid “My goodness,” the lawyer exclaimed As he gasped at the numbers he saw “This hourly rate, for me is not great More than I charged when practicing law!” “I know it,” said the electrician “And a secret I'll share with you, A number this large is more than I charged Than when I was a lawyer too!”

[jonesduncan]

Wilderness, The Kid

by Duncan Jones He was the wildest of wild boys, and he loved his wild toys He could run through the forest without making any noise He played like a monkey, and he played with sticks And he learned how to fall and a thousand other tricks He loved his long branches, he loved how they reached He loved the birds on them, how they squawked and screeched He loved the tall grasses, he loved what they hid He loved to sleep hiding after everything he did His feet were rough, and his grip was strong “How long could he hold his breath for?” Very long! When he got cuts and scrapes, he thought they were cool He was striped like a tiger, but he was no fool He knew when to jump, and he knew when to climb He knew when to go fast, he knew when to take his time When the bullies came calling, he was stronger than they thought Much stronger than ‘em all, much stronger by a lot He loved the hot sun and when it got even hotter He could run for hours before he stopped to get water He could float like a flutterby and sting like a lion He could name a hundred stars without even tryin’ But one day they came and said “it’s all for the best Now sit at this desk, and now take this test And now go over here, and now go over there And now dress like this, and now comb your wild hair” But he looked out the window, and he saw his trees And he saw the bright green of the leaves in the breeze And he knew it right then that he simply had to go So when they told him to stay, he simply said, “No.” Now the wildest of wild boys is back with his wild toys Running through the forest without making any noise

[jonesduncan]

The Politics Of The Savanna

by Duncan Jones Once upon a dreadful time The lions disagreed Both points of view were clever, true And exactly what you need

Discussions, snarls, and rumbles As they circled, then came threats And stripes and horns and unicorns All listened, making bets

The elephant so trumpeted "You fools, they both are kings They're uninterested in helping you They speak of useless things

Lions cannot bring the water Grow the grass or raise your young You let them them teach you songs and chants That never should be sung

You used to, in the moonlight, stand One giant herd, so strong But now you spend the night alone And alone the night is long

I see the stripes are over there The horns are over here The unicorns are all but gone And the lions smell your fear!”

"Just tell us who the winner is!" They screamed of rights and culture And sad, the elephant walked away -- "The winner is the vulture."

[jonesduncan]

The Taurus And The Lioness

by Duncan Jones The taurus and the lioness Called not each other friend Though they often met for dinner And would often meet again The bull held gleaming swords of black The queen smiled knives of white One dark as Earth and ruled the day The other golden ruled the night Their banter could be heard for miles Across the open grass And parents kept the young away For the words were rather crass The bull would taunt with insults To which the lioness replied Then the bull would snort and thrash Making sure she never tried But night would bring their words to life Oh there would be a show! The queen would slash and smile and hiss The bull would stomp and throw And dawn would always find him scarred And resting somewhere shady Would find the queen wore too much red Unbecoming of a lady Yet by midday they'd both be heard As each assumed their part With the taurus and the queen cleaned up Once again the show would start And each evening on a distant hill Stood two of different types The quick gazelle that you know well And the horse that wears the stripes They both would smile and pause a while Then sigh, “From me to you ... I'm so glad they have each other For I do not like those two!”

[jonesduncan]

The Young Man With No Plan

by Duncan Jones There was once a young man Who did not have a plan And did not know where he would land He thought and he thought And was a wee bit distraught Because he was stuck running in sand His friends had moved out They were off on their own While he was still living at home He looked for a job And tried this and that But his mind continued to roam With a pen and a pad One day he sat down Determined to sort his life out And he drew up some drawings And thought up some thoughts And sat there thinking out loud He thought and he drew Soon he had a whole slew Of ideas and pictures galore Then one day he stopped And said, “That’s enough! I should try to sell these in a store.” So he put them on shirts And the shirts in some stores With a message to love the outdoors And now the young man Who did not have a plan Is much more content than before He does what he loves And he loves what he does And that, so far, is the story Of a young man with no plan And nowhere to land Who decided to start his own brand So ... If you’re stuck in a rut Or lost some of your strut It’s ok! Our friend was there too Just do what you like And like what you do Because that is the answer for you!

[jonesduncan]

The Tiger Striped, The Lion Royal

by Duncan Jones The tiger and the king stood where Each eye to eye upon a drink Both dared to stare while standing there Not knowing what to think Down looked the royaled and rather spoiled Dreary lion quite uncheery Who’d never toiled his paws unsoiled Yet his look about him weary "You other cats all lurk as rats Wearing coats so marked to hide Your ears lie flat that’s why perhaps Far and wide I walk with pride Come walk with me come learn and see Make haste for I have rounds And nothing’s free, places to be To check upon my grounds Where I may stand is all my land Subjects must pay respect And so I go make sure they know Now come lest they forget!” So two they walked and lion talked Stripes took a break to rest “No no can’t stop, not while on top You must surely lie in jest!” “Let’s have a bite, come some respite!” Said tiger eyeing herds of meat “No king shall run under the sun For my queens hunt what I eat I am trying to bestow on you Such wisdom bringing powers!” The lion huffed now sounding rough As the tiger smelled some flowers “Enough! Enough!” the king now puffed And his voice began to rumble “I rule the grass but come learn fast And you too may rule, the jungle So learn my ways and gain much praise Try for a greater cause! Or for all days you will always Obey the jungle’s laws!” "Forgive me king but know I’ll sing And speak high when asked of you I’ve been wondering to know something Of your world and now I do My face is scarred and yours unmarred For I’ve taken hoof and horn But I enjoy the breeze, my mind at ease As the day that I was born You seldom dine, you spend your time Belong to what you claim to own A life so fine, said, “Near divine!” But that’s not what is shown These teeth and feet kill what I eat So in shadows I must lurk And base it seems I keep no queens To do my dangerous work Yes you’ve quite a lot but I think not I shall gladly fare without it As for everything else,” tiger yelled as he ran “I shall have to hear about it!”

[jonesduncan]

When The Moon Was High And The Night Was Cold

by Duncan Jones

One night, when the moon was high and the night was cold, a young wolf jumped up, wide awake, for there were strangers in the wind. As his eyes adjusted he realized that his pack was already up and in a fuss, adults looking down across the grass, watching the strangers as they moved. It was barely starting to snow, and as he looked out across the land he could see them, long tongues, wild eyes, and a run about them that was easy, even for a wolf. Soon they passed by, and he was told not to think of them, that they wandered because they were lost, broken and too wild, even for wolves. One night, years later, when the moon was high and the night was cold, a hunting wolf stopped suddenly in his tracks, wide-eyed, for there were strangers in the wind. As he sniffed the air he remembered this scent from long ago. With a chill he looked back, but his pack had spread wide, and he could not hear them. It was barely starting to snow, and when he again looked ahead there were the strange wolves, long tongues, wild eyes, staring right at him with a silence that was sure and calm, even for a wolf. Soon his pack was heard though, and the strange wolves turned without a sound and were gone. He had been told things about them, that they were scavengers, lost and broken, but he could not see that. These were big and looked strong and fast, even for wolves. One night, many years later, when the moon was high and the night was cold, an old wolf found himself wide awake amongst a commotion, for there were strangers in the wind. As his eyes adjusted he realized that his pack was already up and in a fuss, adults looking down across the grass, watching the strangers as they moved. It was barely starting to snow, and as he looked out across the land he could see them, long tongues, wild eyes, and a run about them that was easy, even for a wolf. Soon they passed by, and the young were told not to think of them, that they wandered because they were lost, broken and too wild, even for wolves. Then later that night when the moon was still high and the night was even colder, when all had settled down and gone back to sleep, an old wolf ran out across the land, found their scent, and followed the strangers in the wind.

[jonesduncan]

When The Forest Whispers

by Duncan Jones The night was feeling different For a restlessness had come And in the snow was heard a sound The running of someone ... Owl turned her head in keeping watch Ever silent and aware Then rushed a gust, and flurries flew up Followed by a hare Hare had a look about him Had been running all night long Owl knew at once and turned and jumped And into the night was gone She sailed on in the darkness Racing, perfect in her flight Spreading word across the woods “You cannot stay tonight! Wake up and run, the hunters come!” And the forest came alive It was the rarest call of all reserved For when a certain few arrive So they left their trees and burrows They left the forest floor And on to places far away As only heard of done before The sharp teeth ran with antlers Wings led the way ahead The only thought was, “Faster!” As together they all fled There are some who stand and challenge man With his horses, guns, and wagons But no one dares to hold their ground When the forest whispers, “... dragons ...”

[jonesduncan]

When You’re Not Around

by Duncan Jones When you’re not around Well this is how it feels I’m a fast race car But I got no wheels I’m a chocolate chip cookie With no chocolate chips I’m the captain of a fleet But I got no ships I’m the key to a door That’s got no lock I’m a running sheep dog But I got no flock What I want you to hear What I’m trying to say Is that every single minute You make my day And on those nights When you’re not in my room I play a good song And I dance with a broom Because nobody else Compares to the girl Who’s sweet as sugar And pretty as a pearl If you cut your hair And dyed it blue Then I’d do it too Just to be like you And even when you say That I make you mad You’re talkin’ ‘bout me So it makes me glad There’s not one thing That could make me not miss The only sweet girl That I want to kiss!

[jonesduncan]

Trampled, Laughed At, And More

by Duncan Jones I once knew a lion, trampled, laughed at, and more It was good for this king that nobody kept score The one-eyed cat limped and was covered in scars Yet the life in him strong, and bright like the stars So one day I asked, for I’d not understood The way he’d been treated was simply not good He just rolled on his back and laughed in the sun “Yeah? You think that I care? At night they still run You see, nobody wins, so rigged is our game And yet if you don’t it is you who’s to blame But it’s all in your mind, it is something you choose If you cannot be beat, my friend, you can’t lose!”

[jonesduncan]

When Came A Famous Call

by Duncan Jones No one knew his name In a hole upon the wall Found him shining in a hiding place Then came the famous call And loud became the cheering And fast became the life His company a loneliness That cut him like a knife So sometimes he looks 'round Sees the early days are gone Now he’s hiding in a shining place The show, it must go on ...

[jonesduncan]

When Life’s Keeping Score

by Duncan Jones The giant lion strolled his ground The cubs looked on in awe Then tried their best to puff their chest And walk like him, the law The mothers pulled them back though Sharing not in their elation This night was only for the king There would be a confrontation He nodded at his nearby pride As he waited in the night For sometimes kings do easy things And sometimes they must fight And when appeared the challenger His pride stepped back and sighed Whoever said, "Was no big deal" Had obviously lied The challenger was massive Younger, bigger, faster, stronger His golden fur shone under stars His claws were even longer ... And then was time, the pride did turn No need to watch the show The morning sun would tell everyone Everything they needed to know And when the morning light did shine There stood the king they knew "What happened!?" asking, jumped the cubs Tell us! What did you do?!?” The king dropped down onto the ground And rolled and stretched and smiled "Nothing much," he winked at the queens "I ... introduced him to the wild See, sometimes it matters who's stronger And it sure helps to be well rehearsed But when life's keeping score, what helps even more Is to just be the one who hits first"

[jonesduncan]

Whatever You Think’s Exactly Right

by Duncan Jones I know that I should keep my distance You’re that favorite dangerous drink But that part of me won’t listen So I’m right here on the brink I can swim, but the chance is slim I’m afraid that I might sink And find in time and life that I'm Exactly what you think I’m so crazy lost about you And I haven’t come to fight We're just here today and so I’ll say Whatever you think's exactly right So watch me keep no distance And not even try to listen Watch me back into your arms Because what you think’s exactly right They tell me I should keep my distance That you’re just a waste of time But no part of me will listen So I’m here again and I’m All yours oh yes you got me Can’t you see how my eyes shine? So baby hurry get those close off Or I might change my stupid mind I’m so crazy lost about you And I haven’t come to fight We're just here today and so I’ll say Whatever you think's exactly right So watch me keep no distance And not even try to listen Watch me back into your arms Because what you think’s exactly right

[jonesduncan]

Well I Buried My Sweet Love

by Duncan Jones Well I buried my sweet love Where the wild wildflowers grow And when they asked me where she was I told em, "I don't know" I knew that he still loved her Assumed he always would But I'd die before he had her So I did what I thought I should Well he was one of those Who did not agree with me And was a judge and locked me up And threw away the key He said that he could find it When I could just say where He said it was a fair trade But I'm still sittin' here It's ok though time is tickin' And time's great for a plan No it won't be long 'til I'm with her And in another land I'll dig up my sweet love All six million pieces And then I'll probably change my name In case somebody sees us

[jonesduncan]

Warwick The Warthog

by Duncan Jones Warwick the warthog, called silly at best Not thought of or fought for, ignored by the rest He saw not so well, and he ate quite a lot And wherever he sat was a very tight spot He thpoke with a lithp, and he never ran fast In fact in each race Warwick always was last But he managed and foraged as warthogs should do And the days passed on by, and he grew and he grew Well one day came hunters, a khaki clad band Playing not by the rules that rule the grassland But the king could do nothing, for what could he try? He could not fight guns, just like he can't fly The elephant, buffalo, hippo, the same! For they were the prize in this khaki clad game But calmly as ever spoke Warwick aloud "I’ll jutht have a word with our khaki clad crowd!" So muttering, sputtering, slowly he charged! And up to the khaki clad 4x4 barged "Ekth-cyooth me!" He snorted, but they paid him no mind For he wasn't the prize they had all hoped to find "Ekth cyooth me!!!!" He grunted so one turned his way And in that very instant it all changed that day It was suddenly different, no can say how But those back in the grass thought, “We cannot allow ..." As Warwick stood squinting at what looked like the end They had realized at once, "Warwick's our best friend!!!!" And just as the rifle swung down face to face Came a trumpet, a roar, that shook the whole place The king and the hippo, the tusks and the horns Came barreling forth with a thunder that warns A lone shot rang out grazing Warwick’s back side So under the truck scrambled Warwick to hide While quickly enough those guns had calmed down And four rifles lifted for the four on the ground But whoa! Once again the great turmoil ensued For under the truck was not Warwick subdued He stood up so short with the truck on his back And this time the guns noticed Warwick's attack Then slowly he marched as the truck heaved and swayed And it looked like a terrible one float parade It lasted forever, it took really long And the elephant said, "Wow, Warwick is strong!" Finally down to the river, where he dumped the truck in “We’ll take it from here!” said the crocs with a grin And though the brave warthog collapsed on the shore He was guarded all night by the humbled big four They cheered, “Warwick’s a hero!” on the cool muddy banks And Warwick just smiled, "It wath nothin', but thankth!"

[jonesduncan]

We’ve Only Just Begun

by Duncan Jones Armadillos, aardvark, capybara, tiger shark Stegosaurus, magpie, panda, blue-ringed octopi Yellow jackets, wolverines, hornets, wasps, jumping beans Honey bees, killer bees, locusts fill the sky Black mambas, giant squids, chimpanzees, arachnids Jellyfish, scorpions, koalas, kangaroo Meerkats, ladybugs, wooly mammoths, snails, slugs Canis lupus, stingrays, the king is in a zoo Jack rabbits, crocodiles, wild dogs, run for miles Rattlesnakes, hawks, vultures, eagles, falcons, owls Reindeer, elk, moose, duck, duck, mongoose Altai argali, oh, how the wind howls! Alligators, butterflies, salamander, lemur eyes Snapping turtles, flying squirrels, mussels in the sand Komodo dragons, unicorns, griffins, phoenix, rhino horns Centaurs, minotaurs, forest wonderland Saber tooth, beaver, swan, chocolate labs, python Echidna, ants, silverbacks, elephants, giraffe Mantises, cape buffalo, seal, walrus, dingo Orangutan, gazelle, lion, cub, fawn, calf One fish, tuna fish, red fish, blue whale Orcas orchestrating hunts, iguana, cobra, dove Penguin, lobster, polar bear, dolphins spinning through the air Camel, caterpillar, cow, beetles, jungle love Parrots, hippopotamus, carcarion carcarius Otter, ostrich, antelope, impala, sea star Thoroughbred, hedgehog, rainbow poison dart frog Seahorse, eel, cheetah, peacock, emu, jaguar Bandicoots, lorikeets, wildebeest, centipedes Coral reef, anemones, hyena, baboon House cats, mice, rats, flies, gnats, fruit bats Lightning bugs, mosquitoes, crazy as a loon Woodpecker, porcupine, coyote, bison, clam, swine Amphibian, chinchilla, goats, coats made of fur Oysters, salmon, crab cakes, jewel scarabs, fire drakes Titi monkey, shrike, where the wild things were Tarantula, chameleon, sea urchin, raven, alien Anglerfish, angelfish, nudibranch, koi Weasel, ferret, latrodectus, Kodiak, homo erectus Gila monster, mastodon, caiman, Corduroy Grasshoppers, manatees, platypus, wallabies Raccoons, marmot, striped horse, crickets, civet, ox Wombats, cockatoos, gibbon, tortoise, jabiru Geckos, heron, llama, toads, sugar glider, fox Dragonfly, jackal, lynx, velociraptor, tapir, minks Black-capped capuchin, the Irish elk is done Great apes, shih tzu, kudu, newt, kinkajou Alpaca, sloth, Tyrannosaur, we’ve only just begun ...

[jonesduncan]

Volcano

by Duncan Jones Some call them far fetched These words as they’re etched Not a tale for the meek or the mild But be true or be hollow This story that follows Starts when he was no more than a child ... The horses all run When he blocks out the sun The boldest have even turned back His legend, it spread With each hunter left dead And now few will dare even to track Survivors all tell us They make rubies jealous Black eyes burning red in his rage He’s the color of night And he lives for a fight And he hasn’t grown nicer with age Say those who have walked Atop tall castle walls When a hunter out hunting he’d found He would come from his cave Silently and for days He would circle, sail over the town Then, “Run! Grab your toys! Hurry now make some noise You’re not gonna like this a lot It’s quite odd I say That a fine winter’s day Should ever feel half this hot! Why the frenzy below me? Could it be that you know me? I see some are now changing their tune To all those rather fond Of your hunters now gone I’ve good news! You’ll see them all soon!” And arrows would hiss But he’d laugh as they missed “You’ve been watching a while are you tired? This is all very cute How you scramble and shoot But beware! For you’re playing with fire!” Then his charm fades away As the night takes the day Begins winter air to feel warm When the kingdom lies flat He says “So much for that!” Then he vanishes, just like a storm Yet still now and then Foolish kings let their men Follow up on a rumorous word A warm winter breeze Black rocks or burned trees But the task is completely absurd While they search and they dare To go wander up there I shall not, for what do they know? All so far been wrong And now part of this song Of the untouchable dragon, Volcano!