Incident on the Island of Shell

When a large black retriever jumped out of the car,
it was like life had lingered too long at the bar.
For a rooster soon followed in this outré gig,
plus a man there in tote of a pot-bellied pig.

It was like a parade from a snippet of farm,
yet the island at Shell was no place of alarm
save for one gray-haired lady unnerved by the scene
who lost hold of her hose bringing forth gasoline.

Thus the pig-toting man felt a bit of dismay
having seen this poor lady receive a Shell spray.
So he put down the pig and Sir Galahad he
made his way to the lady and then on one knee

begged forgiveness, his countenance red with chagrin
saying, “Oh, I’m so sorry, where do I begin!?”
Then the black lab appeared like from out of nowhere
as the lady with kerchief wiped Shell from her hair.

While Sir Galahad pleaded in kneel-pose extant,
the retriever in hind-wiggle began to pant.
And the pot-bellied pig made the red rooster jump
at this scene of bizarre by the number four pump.

The old lady with dignity maintained her cool;
the retriever provided her nudges and drool.
Our Sir Galahad spread out his arms in appeal
as the pig and red rooster were feathers and squeal.

Then some customers gathered and tried to give aid
while Sir Galahad broke into soft serenade
as the sun baked the asphalt and fumes of gas reeked
and a gray-haired old lady grew weary and piqued.

Crowing, squealing and yapping and serenade low
at the Island of Shell made some good people go.
Then the riot of pig, rooster, and dog apace
bumped Sir Galahad and he fell flat on his face.

In the meantime the lady, so cut to the quick,
all a once made a choice to depart from the thick
of a man on his face and this animal storm
at a gas station incident far from the norm.

Like an eye of a hurricane, it became calm.
Then Sir Galahad stood and he said with aplomb,
“Such is life when pig, rooster, and black lab collide:”
“You’re forgiven,” is how the old lady replied.


40 Lines
Writer’s Cramp
1-12-16