'Short Rondeau', (Corrected) ~ Thanks, Merlin! Options

[Larry]

Midas abrades, with just a touch,
his subjects who don’t wish to work
and make him rich. They are in dutch.
When duty calls, those who would shirk

the opportunity to make
a living wage will join parades
of golden statues by the lake.
Midas abrades!

[Larry]

My ducks parade around the pond
to eat the special food I make
and hardly ever go beyond
except for that old Mallard drake

who fathered all of them with pride.
He waddles to the barn and wades
through the ingredients I hide.
My ducks’ pa raids.

[JustDaniel]

Three geese -- Canadian no less --
have joined the chickens on our lawn.
The turkeys stay away and mess
the field that they now trod upon.

From time to time a deer may peek
amid its daily walk caprice
to catch a sight of our unique
three geese.

[Larry]

Catch sight of your unique three geese?
When, may I ask, did they appear
and does their honking steal your peace?
Don’t name them for that would endear

them to grandchildren, make them pets
and on each holiday they might
be the entrée you see each gets.
Catch sight!

[JustDaniel]

No names... and now somehow they're four;
Another one showed yesterday!
They're grazing right outside my door;
it looks as though they're here to stay.

My son's an expert with his bow
so your suggestion that a feast
should feature them means we'll allow
no names.

[Larry]

Goose Stepping

A goose is much more than a bird
which some might cook for holidays
or wondrous meals. I’ve always heard
they act as guards in special ways
by sounding an alarm. They’ll chase
intruders who can’t shake them loose.
One thing you don’t want in your face…
a goose!



Daniel, aren't L6 and L8 end rhymes supposed to be the same? Suggest ending L6 with "their fame".

[JustDaniel]

A rooster can be docile too
enjoying your visits with food
that you offer him 'til he accrues
his fill, and then he will conclude
friendly mixing, beginning to strut
'round the grounds 'til he's gotten your goat;
soon you realize you cannot butt
a rooster.

[Larry]

A rooster’s rule of free-range hens
may last while it is young and strong
but with no progeny it ends.
A sterile male does not belong
on any self-respecting farm.
Most everyone I know concurs
that servicing the flock’s the norm.
A roux stirs!

[JustDaniel]

Larry... sorry for my previous two disasters. It appears that I'd forgotten to rhyme lines 6 and 8, as you duly noted!!!

A gravy's stirring in your pot;
is that the rooster in your pan?
Just yesterday, who would have thought
that we'd be eating cock cayenne?

A fox attacked the chicken coop
and didn't give us time to wave
goodbye to future chicken poop...
a grave

[Larry]

A grave is difficult to dig
for its dimensions are precise
and without care becomes too big
or much too thin; a coffin vise.
I’d rather plow a nice big field
for vegetables I eat or save
depending on the crops and yield,
ag rave!

[JustDaniel]

You could be digging your own grave
if you are eating vegetables;
you think it's how you should behave,
but are they good comestibles?

Insecticides are sometimes used
and oft are not washed for your good,
so you may better have refused;
you could!

[Larry]

You could believe in anything.
depending on your place of birth,
of who or what supreme being
created you and formed the Earth.
If Hindu, watch what you may do
in harming creatures; and you should.
You may come back a cow and chew
your cud

[JustDaniel]

A sacred cow you will not be
after you've wandered off the earth;
I will not say, Just wait and see,
but death comes forth with life from birth.

We live our lives and then we die
awaiting Christ's return; we'll bow
before him, and no one will ply
a sacred cow.

[Larry]

A sacred cow is merely food
to hungry people on this earth
but India will find it rude
to harm the beast though there’s a dearth
of things to eat. The billion souls
consume white rice and fish filet.
Just give poor folks with empty bowls
a say.

[JustDaniel]

Poor folks with empty bowls increase
with every passing year it seems;
will world-wide hunger ever cease?
is it the stuff of empty dreams?

We send more food across the seas;
corruption grabs its share and chokes
the distribution, never frees
poor folks.

[Larry]

Just pour some folks a nice cold drink
or coffee when they come to call.
They’ll be more thankful than you think
and won’t mind coming back at all
so if you want to be a host
there is one thing I would implore;
if you’re the friend they like the most
just pour.

[JustDaniel]

If you're the friend who has the most
your guests expect a special treat;
you can't get by with tea and toast
but must throw in some breakfast meat.

Not every gathering needs food,
so you may work to get them weaned;
but some my not see you as good
if you're a fiend.

[Larry]

Though some may not see me as good,
I am no fiend or wish to be
so let that fact be understood.
I do what morals ask of me
and sometimes try to do much more.
I give the best that I have got
and great extent I oft explore
though some may not.

[JustDaniel]

That great ex-tent I oft explore
discovering its canvas use,
re-purposing,.. no amateur.
It will not fall into disuse.

With part of it I drag my leaves;
for painting, it is not mis-spent;
to catch the rain beneath the eaves...
that great ex-tent.

[Larry]

To catch the rain beneath the eaves
is laudable for when it pours
it is a blessing man receives
and wise is he who saves and stores
each precious drop for dryer times.
There are some places which remain
a desert. Folks wish in those climes
to catch the rain.