(A Vignette in Verse)
BY
CHARLOTTE MULLINER
When cares attack and life seems black
How sweet it is to pot a yak,
Or puncture hares and grizzly bears,
And others I could mention:
But in my Animals “Who’s Who”
No name stands higher than the Gnu:
And each new gnu that comes in view
Receives my prompt attention.
When Afric’s sun is sinking low,
And shadows wander to and fro,
And everywhere there’s in the air
A hush that’s deep and solemn;
Then is the time good men and true
With View Halloo pursue the gnu:
(The safest spot to put your shot
Is through the spinal column).
To take the creature by surprise
We must adopt some rude disguise,
Although deceit is never sweet,
And falsehoods don’t attract us:
So, as with gun in hand you wait,
Remember to impersonate
A tuft of grass, a mountain-pass,
A kopje or a cactus.
A brief suspense, and then at last
The waiting’s o’er, the vigil past:
A careful aim. A spurt of flame.
It’s done. You’ve pulled the trigger,
And one more gnu, so fair and frail,
Has handed in its dinner-pail:
(The females all are rather small,
The males are somewhat bigger).
“My mother died when I was born. I never knew my father.”
“I sometimes wish I didn’t know mine,” said the Biscuit. “The sixth Earl has his moments, but he can on occasion be more than a bit of a blister. Why didn’t you know your father? A pretty exclusive kid, were you?”