Little Jim and his mate Wong

[Glenny Palmer]

Little Jim and his mate Wong
just loved to play the whole day long
they built themselves a cubby house
and each of them had one pet mouse.
They learned to swim out in the creek
and loved their game of hide-and-seek.
Then came the age they went to school
and both were taught the Golden Rule.
One day they found a bouncy ball
and kicked it high above the wall
then Jim decided it should be
his bouncy ball ‘cause it was he
who saw it first, but Wong said ‘Why?
I’ll prove I can identify
my bouncy ball, it’s blue and white’
and Jim said ‘that just isn’t right
my bouncy ball has stripes of red’
and snatched the ball and quickly fled
back to his house with Wong behind
where Mother said ‘Boys do you mind
I’ve never seen you fight this way
what is the bother, tell me pray?’
Both boys were tugging on the ball
and claiming ownership to all
when Mother said ‘You both are right
on young Jim’s side it’s red and white,
but take a moment Jim please do
and look! Wong’s side is white and blue.
So learn from this you boys to be
observant of what others see,
and understand each has the right
to speak his view without a fight,
and you will grow to men who’ll be
admired for your dignity’.
And so both boys agreed to share
that bouncy ball but ‘it’s not fair’
they both were heard to whisper low
and friendship suffered from this blow.
Dismissing Mother’s words they grew
to manhood, each with twisted view.
Jim joined the navy went to sea
and Wong pursued the military
despite all they had shared before
now Oz and China are at war.

[alongtimegone]

Hi Glenny .. great poem. I love the way each line chases the next one. Cluey end too.
Wazza

[Glenny Palmer]

Thanks Wazza. How's ya crab going?....