In a Sow’s Ear 8-17-09
Privacy is a precious commodity. If you live in the country you don’t expect neighbors to build so close you can see the spinach caught in their teeth. Sometimes, communication is non-verbal.
The Battle of the Skulls (Shades of Battle of New Orleans)
He came from the City
and he built a fancy house
Brought along his family,
three boys and his spouse.
On a knob on the summit
of a sky-reaching hill
He built a starter mansion
and he made it fill the bill.
Refrain …
He hired a crew and the trucks
they kept a-comin’
There isn’t near as many
as there was awhile ago
Now that’s it’s done and
the structure’s up and runnin’
It roosts on the summit
like a cock about to crow.
The roof is made of steel;
you can see it brightly glowin’
From nearly half a mile away,
it sure makes a showin’
The timbered walls are plastered up
with lichen-covered rock
Picture windows everywhere,
you don’t even have to knock.
Refrain …
He hired a crew and the trucks
they kept a-comin’
There isn’t near as many
as there was awhile ago
Now that’s it’s done and
the structure’s up and runnin’
It roosts on the summit
like a cock about to crow.
The deck’s made of stone
as smooth as baby buns
Where he looks at the river
and is proud of what he’s done
In his castle on the mountain,
he’s made himself the King
But his house is in the face
of another human being.
Refrain …
He hired a crew and the trucks
they kept a-comin’
There isn’t near as many
as there was awhile ago
Now that’s it’s done and
the structure’s up and runnin’
It roosts on the summit
like a cock about to crow.
King taped some flags
on the neighbor’s cattleguard
You’d a thought there was a trumpet
a-playin’ in his yard
So the neighbor thought awhile
and then a strategy was born
She gathered up a bunch of skulls,
each had a pair of horns.
Refrain …
He hired a crew and the
trucks they kept a-comin’
There isn’t near as many
as there was awhile ago
Now that’s it’s done and
the structure’s up and runnin’
It roosts on the summit
like a cock about to crow.
The bare naked skulls look fine
upon the boundary fence
An environmental decoration;
somehow it made King tense
He said he thought it impolite
to put the skulls in place
Where he would have to see them
close, personal, in his face.
Refrain …
Well, he fussed and he moaned
and his forehead made a frown
He insisted and complained
that the skulls they had to go
So the neighbor moved them all
to another piece of fence
(And the pickup’s bringing more –
twill make a better show)!
