Selfish shellfish
Sits and stares,
Thinks aloud of its affairs:
"I wonder this, I wonder that,
I wonder what
Is my lot?"
Rookie cook
Stands and stirs
Thinks about his superiors
"They say this, and they say that,
They want trout
With saukraut!"
Thoughts on want, and wanton thoughts;
All want things of different sorts:
"The main ingredient in life" the mussel mused
"Is to be wholly comfortable and never abused.
Happiness, wealth, satisfaction - all boils down to this.
Thus I propose
To each man what should be his
Without much repose.
Consequently the world could be bliss,
Don’t you suppose?
So give me warm water,
A home with some taste,
Marry my daughter
To wealth in great haste.
Let me be swallowed
Up by contentment
And for all time hallowed
Without resentment"
"The main ingredient to seafood soup" the restaurateur ranted
"Is not holy water, blessed and decanted-
Turnips, leeks and beets can’t be boiled in this-
Only the tried and tested should be implemented.
Thus this entrée
Needs boiled tap water, I say!
For tonight’s soiree
May be of the sort
Where whisky, wine and/or port
Are drunk in excess
To quench or suppress
Feelings of loneliness,
And so only the best
Will do".
What a thought! Considering
The waiter wanted dishes
Full of funny fishes
For the hungry table
Which forever ago asked the cook
If he was able
A meal of sumptuous seafood-
Self-important and rude-
Provide.
The shellfish wishes
And guests’ requests
Awaited
To be catered
For, and almost looked
Like one as the waiter waited
For what the cook had cooked-
Selfish shellfish
Seafood soup.
March 2000