As we go

Contact the poet: mwambani@hotmail.com


Saturday, 9 April 2011

One-upmanship

Fighting a bout of low self esteem
I headed westward where I’d heard it
possible to test your wits against
a certain mountain, Cyfwry so named
and forming part of the giant chair

where sat mighty Idris, long since
departed, and in the cold silence
inadequate Cyfwry, for he was
one of three, would challenge all-comers
to prove who was the greater. And so

I came to the shores of Llyn-y-Cau
dark as ink beneath his mighty sides.
The bragging was in full flow but sharp
were his senses and he detected
my diffident entrance, for you see

squirrels are by comparison quite
small. So small in fact that old Cyfwry
began to laugh in mocking tones of
disbelief. ‘And how’ he cried ‘can one
so insignificant hope to trump

me, whose granite sides flout the test of
time; redirect rivers at a whim;
carry mighty forests on my back
and confound the works of man – Pray tell?’
‘Well’ I said, drawing myself up to

full height with whiskers splayed for effect:
‘I bet you can’t crack a nut!’   It’s said
things were quieter in those parts after
that. I headed home feeling better
but knowing I was still the same squirrel.


John H Davies
9th April 2011




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