Counting sheep - or sheep on the brain

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24 September

No, nothing (much) to do with the infamous Gene Wilder sketch in Woody Allen's Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex [...], but just a (somewhat) bizarre opening line from Spoonbill Generator days..., a time when writing poetry this way (and not in that of my youth) was my main creative outlet.

(Somewhere, there's a Generator poem about outlet valves, which, if I can quickly find, I shall append.)


Only Transient Sheep

Hiatus and Hibiscus are the names of my two sheep [The Agent Apsley]
Hiatus likes to hiccough and Hibiscus likes to beep, [Stacy]
The only time I get some peace is when they're both asleep! [P]

Hiatus went to Knaresborough and turned the ladies' heads [TG]
Hibiscus stayed at home and cursed "those wicked slimy reds" [P]
They only cease to argue when they're tucked up in their beds! [TG]

Hiatus lit a candle and intoned a solemn prayer [P]
As a practice that is holy, but a measure that is rare [The Agent Apsley]
Hibiscus, on the other hand, is now a millionaire [P]

Hibiscus dotes on chocolate, Hiatus dines on cheese [The Agent Apsley]
And both are rather prone to do exactly as they please [P]
One wonders if this ovine pair have learned their ABCs [Dano]
And do they have fleas? [nomi]

Hibiscus ate a pencil and promptly down did fall [The Agent Apsley]
Hiatus trapped a frightened little hamster in the hall [TG]
The world turns 'round, in ways profound [Rippy]
That sages do confound [The Agent Apsley]

Hiatus and Hibiscus sent a message to the Queen [TG]
"Our Agent of Desire comes disguised as Mr. Clean" [Rippy]
"Balls!" Said the Queen "If I had two I'd be king" [nomi]

Hiatus ran for office, Hibiscus took the hump [The Agent Apsley]
The hoary throng of pistoleros bravely manned the pump [Rippy]
And, adding to divergence, felt the inklings of a lump. [The Agent Apsley]

Hibiscus was in the kitchen eating toast and jam. [Best Boy]
Hiatus was seen in Scotland in the company of a lamb [Anon.]
Then off to New York City, to buy stock, and pull a scam. [spawn of Rippy]
Last I heard, he was employed by the notorious Uncle Sam. [Dew Drop]

Hiatus or Hibiscus, it really matters nought [Rippy]
Depending on the matter of what they both have sought [Paloma]
And matter's merely patter when a sot ought quaff a draught [dano]

And thus it is, my children, that if you can't agree [Bop]
Just go into the pantry and endure the third degree [The Agent Apsley]
Hiatus and Hibiscus will just sit and sip their tea [TG]


http://www.spoonbill.org/completed.php?name=poem&value=0236