Gather Ye Kittens After Robert Herrick - To The Virgins, To Make Much Of Time Poem by Jonathan ROBIN

Gather Ye Kittens


Gather blind kitten human kind -
though who'll own who seems doubtful
autonomy we often find
leaves only one devoutful.

Soft ball of fluff which calls love’s bluff,
Plays ball with strings in motion,
then off the cuff, never enough,
can cause complete commotion.

From far Siam some, star 'I am, '
self-confident, disdaining,
by rule of thumb strays - seldom dumb -
survive nine lives in training.

Macavity means mystery,
unseen slips from crime scene,
for change of tone see Griddlebone
or Grisabelle, once queen.

Who purr prefers can seldom err
when stroking fur so glossy,
take care cad cur sharp claws deter
when Flossy fair turns bossy.

Who, young, may clown, when old frown down
on strangers too insistent,
in country, town, long nap's renown
stays practice strong, persistent.

Asleep by day by night may stray
from house for mouse a-stalking
sweet birds, too, may fall fleet neat prey
as feral bait slate chalking.

When on the prowl cats never howl,
advancing slow, suspicious,
soon rodent, owl, hands in the towel -
they pounce on prey delicious.

Poor mice taste nice when four paw vice
prepares fare, dish delicious,
before first slice enjoy advice:
employ as toy auspicious.

When cat’s away though mice may play,
they’d best beware returning
fine feline’s way with dinner tray -
pray for escape discerning.

On fish and cream as dish cats dream
nocturnal instincts combing
as bright eyes gleam, a golden team,
when on their way they’re roaming.

Choice morsels picks and then cat licks
fur frequently and neatly,
removing tics, dust, splinter sticks,
from top to tail completely.

When Tom cats call, all caterwaul,
deem decibels delightful,
some won’t play ball - light sleepers bawl
fortissimo and frightful.

Time spurs anon and so upon
fur's theme we've heard sufficient,
for readers' fun - terse verse is spun,
muse runs with miaow proficient.

20 August 2009 robi3_1896_robi3_0000 PWX_MNX
Parody Robert Herrick 1591_1674 To the Virgins, To Make Much of Time

______________

To the Virgins, To Make Much of Time



Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today,
To-morrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the Sun,
The higher he's a-getting;
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he's to setting.

That age is best, which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry;
For having lost but once your prime,
You may for ever tarry.





Robert HERRICK 1591_1674
______________
Gather Love’s Petals


Gather Love’s petals while you may,
old Time locks box, mocks sighing,
blush bloom of youth so lush today
soon sees rush hushed, croon dying.

Life’s almost done before begun,
there’s little sense in letting
Time fly, for fast the setting sun
lets out last room, forgetting.

You once would pay prompt to the day
the rent when you were letting,
and all will say, ‘ah, lack-a-day! ’ –
tomb’s prospect’s still upsetting.

So shed false mask, take book and flask,
a partner most becoming,
bread ‘neath the bough, nought else now ask,
as Death sucks breath, brain numbing.

True love forecast must never bask
on laurels – distant drumming
takes waste to task, haste to the task,
seek joy, don’t toy, go slumming!

Red rose in bloom bedecks the tomb
of love lost, cost uncounted,
grey shadows loom so don't assume
winged options once dismounted.

Ride not far and wide, pride set aside,
trust basic instincts inner,
much more beside wealth counts, two tied
by trust's win/win begin a
relationship unknown to whip,
to rip-tide which submerges
what lip to lip can offer hip
to hip's united urges.

That age is best when Youth has done
with superficial fretting,
right choice attested, others shun,
sage bats beat restless netting...

Decisions take, no past mistake
should hinder joy awaking,
so joy's hopes slake in passion's lake
let walls fall, towers quaking.

Gather ye rosebuds all who will,
and yet, though Time’s a-flying,
in one fair head, eternal still,
Life thrives, Death’s grin denying.

The glorious lamp of Heaven, the Sun,
as higher he is getting,
if e’er his praises were begun -
laws seasonal forgetting -
go[l]d head embarrassed would be hung -
some modesty’s essential -
vain beauty pains, gains cobwebs st[r]ung
like pearls inconsequential.

Life praises who free love and woo
where two true fit, pale phantom
none envy through tomorrow's dew -
Life’s summons flows to summum!

Garner Love’s petals while you play,
old Time locks box, mocks sighing,
youth's lush bloom blush scents rush today
wilts, sense sent spilt-milk crying.

30 July 1991 revised 19 August 2009 robi3_0420_herr1_0005 PXX_DLZ
Parody Robert HERRICK 1591_1674 – To the Virgins, to make much of Time
for previous version see below

Gather Love’s Petals


Gather Love’s petals while you may,
Old Time locks box, mocks sighing,
the bloom of youth in blush today
shall all too soon be dying.

Life’s almost done before begun,
there’s little sense in letting
Time fly, for fast the setting sun
lets out your room, forgetting

you once would pay prompt to the day
the rent when you were letting,
and all will say, ‘ah, lack-a-day! ’ –
tomb’s prospect’s still upsetting.

So shed false mask, take book and flask,
a partner most becoming,
bread ‘neath the bough, nought else now ask,
as Death sucks breath, brain numbing.

Search till certain, never bask
on laurels – distant drumming
takes waste to task, haste to the task,
seek joy, don’t toy, go slumming!

That age is best when Youth has done
with superficial fretting,
right choice attested, others shun,
sage bats beat restless netting...

30 July 1991
Parody Robert HERRICK 1591_1674 – To the Virgins, to make much of Time
____________

To Poets, To Make Much of Rhyme

Gather rich rhyme schemes while you may,
poor verse sounds trite, found trying,
bare bones which weigh hot air today,
fuss fast forgot, dust flying.

Keep open mind, reap muse enshrined
in harmony delightful,
voice words refined, choice tale unwind,
flee far from falsehoods frightful.

Who seeks escape from nightshade drape
of worldly woes surrounding,
for Good Hope Cape should verses shape
bright images abounding.

Who prose would name as verse to shame
puts poetry well written,
‘I came, became, on fate poured blame’
prosaic sounds, though smitten.

Watch well words’ worth as sadness, mirth,
steer different directions,
chalk, cheese, from birth to final berth
deserving diverse sections.

True verse is craft whose sunbeam shaft,
uncanny angle finding,
appears witchcraft, its beauty’s haft
trite terran cares unwinding.

Where there’s a clash ‘twixt muse and cash,
cacophany unmuzzled
at best is brash, discordant crash:
prose poetry? we’re puzzled
although ‘tis true constrictive view
some take of form, tradition,
seek freedoms new, provoke, askew
much feels, lacks erudition.

Unscanned prose blanks are verse? - no thanks!
taste ‘modern’ schools forgetting
turn sink word banks not ballast tanks,
speak pique, bleak blanket setting.

Who would adorn wild weed as corn
phrase poorly planned, prosaic,
weaves white leaves torn, from honour shorn,
miss musical mosaic.

Most writing prose metamorphose
from magic mariposa
to worm verse rose may blight, soft glows
from firefly douse sub rosa.

Mistrust beliefs fixed fast, fig-leaf
for bigots narrow-minded
worms far beneath contempt to grief
soon come unwept, self-blinded.

Soar far beyond past poets' bond
ignore crass trendy jargon
on which Time's wand, wind waves, scarce fond,
who now remembers Sargon?

Avoid rants vain in ‘free’ complain,
where cliché beckons ever
for down fame’s drain lame poured they’re pain,
rap knuckles, rarely clever.

Rhymed lines are best with wit and zest
spontaneous combining,
close prose shop, blessed though critics pest,
spit[e] puny money whining.

None need be coy, fun run enjoy
at humor aim, shun fame,
tweak, twinkle, chime, join sense to rhyme,
Time sickles fickle flame.

11 May 2007 revised 19 and 31 August 2009 robi3_1627_herr1_0005 PXX_IXX


for previous version see below
Parody Robert HERRICK 1591_1674 – To the Virgins, to make much of Time

Sargon: Sargon former General crowned King of Assyria 722 B.C. died 705 B.C.


To Poets, To Make Much of Rhyme

Gather rich rhyme schemes while you may,
poor verse sounds trite, found trying,
bare bones which weigh hot air today,
sends morrow’s wind dust flying.

Unscanned prose blanks passed off as verse -
taste ‘modern’ schools forgetting -
seem scarce accessible, rehearse
to most bleak blanket setting.

Should, harmony discarded, clash,
cacophany unmuzzled,
accompany discordant crash
the picture leaves folk puzzled.

Rhymed lines are best which wit and zest
spontaneous combine,
ignore the rest, let critics pest
or spit their petty whine.

Then be not coy, enjoy your time,
at humor aim, not fame,
once balance lost in sense and rhyme,
Time blanks all save pure flame.

11 May 2007 robi3_1627_herr1_0005 PXX_IXX
Parody Robert HERRICK 1591_1674 – To the Virgins, to make much of Time




_____________

Gather Stashed Chips up



Gather stashed chips up while you may,
Time’s chimes tick tocsin flying
luck that still sees the light today
Chance soon turns, boon denying.

Rich stake once lost may not return
to line stitch pocket, betting
is fun when winning, luck may turn
loss apple-cart upsetting.

That win's best blessed which scorns greed's thirst,
when Chance has sped, choice rash is,
when dispossessed, blood vessels burst,
and Fortune flies, buys crashes !

For dreams of break the bank sublime
too often must miscarry
as wishful-thinking pantomime
can’t self-destruction parry.

Can’t conjur back bright bonus pay,
pay off revolving debit,
nor save, however hard you pray,
nor loud expletives edit.

A million dollars bank has lent
soon's spent, fate's icy finger
may assets freeze, naught left for rent,
once unstuck, luck won't linger.

Cheque double-checked may draw a blank
earmarked 'return to sender'
foreclosing home, high status, rank,
caught, court case sentence render.

Bonanzas, difficult to earn,
anticipations whetting,
when pastures green fates fickle spurn
prove mirage, best forgetting.

Leave in the black, not red immersed,
when tables turn what flashes
can compensate for cash reversed,
bland banker’s forty lashes?

Game end, be coy, spend well swift time,
do not at table tarry,
wins quick enjoy – or not a dime
is left – obliged to marry !

30 July 1991 revised 18 August 2009 robi3_0421_herr1_0005
for previous version see below
Parody Robert HERRICK 1591_1674 – To the Virgins, to make much of Time


Gather the Chips up

Gather the chips up while you may,
for time will soon be flying
when luck still sees the light today
may shortly be denying.

Rich stake once lost may not return
to line stitch pocket, betting
is fun when winning, luck may turn
loss apple-cart upsetting.

That win is best which is the first, -
when Chance has sped, choice rash is,
when dispossessed, blood vessels burst,
and Fortune flies, all crashes !

Game end, be coy, spend well swift time,
do not at table tarry,
wins quick enjoy – or not a dime
you’ll have – obliged to marry !

30 July 1991
Parody Robert HERRICK 1591_1674 – To the Virgins, to make much of Time

______________


_____________

Take Your Profits



Quick! Take your profits while you may
on shares today high flying,
rare heights beware, lest, oh despair!
tomorrow sees scared sighing.

Stock indices rise like the sun,
the higher they're a-getting,
the sooner is sharp fall begun,
and then farewell to betting.

Since all time lows stockmarkets soared,
thanks to new ‘cash for clunkers’,
when re-employment is off-shored,
who’ll hide in gilt-edged bunkers?

Beware mad Madoff Ponzi schemes
as global crisis deepens,
which threaten true American dreams
as housing value cheapens.

Once caught on hop when prices drop
investors need be nifty,
to foreclosed shop turns mirage crop -
stay healthy and stay thrifty!

Beware Banks which two centuries
have boomed through bankrupt backing
exposure which turned mirage tease
with refinancing lacking.

When toxic loans come home to roost
who'll chicken out? the sanest!
for debt repayments bank on boost
for tax increases plainest.

Take rapid turn lest bridges burn
and melt down mark-up merry,
for salad days may not return,
and Charon waits with ferry.

Though dead cats bounce, the large amounts
at stake aren’t worth the candle
when every ounce of cash that counts
cannot provide true handle.

That option’s best that loss cuts first,
sight clear and reason colder,
the acid test when bubbles burst –
survivor’s not the bolder!

Stay somewhat coy, enjoy life, Time
enacts its tribute, parry
Fate’s base alloy, hedge hard-earned dime,
Stocks, tumbling, seldom tarry.

The risks increase with each percent,
but greed all fears forgetting,
may tempt – green money has no scent –
beware red fall’s bloodletting...

30 July 1991 revised 18 August 2009 v.3 – 7 robi3_0422_herr1_0005 PXX_CJM
Parody Robert HERRICK 1591_1674 – To the Virgins, to make much of Time

___________________

Gather Ye Rosebuds





Gather ye rosebuds all who will,
and yet, though Time’s a-flying,
in one fair head, eternal still,
Life thrives, Death’s grin denying.

The glorious lamp of Heaven, the Sun,
as higher he is getting,
if e’er his praises were begun -
laws seasonal forgetting -

Go[l]d head embarrassed would be hung
as modesty’s essential,
in beauty all eclipsed are, st[r]ung
like pearls inconsequential.

God praises her, both first and last,
each other flits, - pale phantom, -
she’s envied now by Future, Past,
Life’s summons flows to summum...



15 June 1992
Parody Robert HERRICK 1591_1674 – To the Virgins, to make much of Time

________


To the Kittens, to Make Much of Time


Get ye a human while ye may,
When you are still a kitten,
For by a cat too long a stray
Men’s hearts are seldom smitten.

The master of a cozy house
May wed a maid with puppies;
Or set a trap to catch that mouse,
Or buy a bowl of guppies.

Cold rains will soon the summer drown,
and ice will crack the willow;
And though the snow is soft as down,
It makes a chilly pillow.

Then hands that would have stroked your head,
When you came in from prowling,
Will hurl at you a boot instead
To halt your awful howling.


Henry BEARD 1945_20xx bear1_0016_herr1_0005
By Robert Herrick’s Cat – Poetry for Cats 1994
Parody Robert HERRICK 1591_1674 – To the Virgins, to make much of Time

___________________

To the Virgins - A Reply





Good sir, your words we don't gainsay,
We know she fades, dear rose;
We know the year has but one May,
And every day its close.

We maidens are not coy, nor shy,
We but pretend we are;
Not one among us will deny
Youth’s but a falling star.

Though dawn to dark is but a span,
Alack, we may not hasten;
We sit by lattice, toy a fan,
Or spin, our souls to chasten.

Your counsel is both sound and wise,
That we should all go mating;
But hist! if all had beauty’s eyes,
There’d be no need of waiting.




MANN Katherine c1870_19xx
Old Songs of the Elizabethans with New songs in Reply 1906
See also Stray Stanzas

Parody Robert HERRICK 1591_1674 – To the Virgins, to make much of Time


_____________

Gather ye Soap Suds - Counsel to Girls

Gather ye soap-suds while ye may
The smuts are still a-flying:
And this same hair so bright to-day,
To-morrow may need dyeing.

The glorious Lamp of Oil, the wick,
The higher he’s a getting
The sooner will the smuts fly quick
And on your hair be setting.

That hair is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer,
But being spoilt, the worse, and worst
Hairs will succeed the former.

Then be not mean, good soap go buy;
And with it be not chary:
For having lost its bloom, you’ll sigh,
“My hair for ever tarry.”

Bid me to pair, and I will pair
With any man I see,
O bid me wear and I will will wear
A Baron’s robes for thee.

Thou art my chief, my hope, my dower,
(‘Tis very wise of me) ,
And hast command of every hour
To vote and speak for thee.

Parody UN known Author 0073 PUNau_0073_PUNau_0000 PXX_JMX

Author Unknown Parody Robert HERRICK To Virgins, to make much of Time

___________

Song


Gather kittens while you may
Time brings only sorrow:
And the kittens of today
Will be old cats tomorrow.



Oliver HERFORD 1863_1935 herf1_0018_herf1_0000 PXX_JZX

Parody Robert HERRICK 1591_1674 – To the Virgins, to make much of Time



O Gather Me the Rose






O gather me the rose, the rose,
While yet in flower we find it,
For summer smiles, but summer goes,
And winter waits behind it.

For with the dream foregone, foregone,
The deed foreborn forever,
The worm Regret will canker on,
And time will turn him never.

So were it well to love, my love,
And cheat of any laughter
The fate beneath us, and above,
The dark before and after.

The myrtle and the rose, the rose,
The sunshine and the swallow,
The dream that comes, the wish that goes
The memories that follow !




William Ernest HENLEY 1849_1902 henl1_0005_henl1_0000 PXX_DZX
Parody Robert HERRICK 1591_1674 – To the Virgins, to make much of Time



Je vous envoie un bouquet




This bunch of flowers, fresh and fully grown,
Which I have newly gathered you, I send;
Had I not picked them at this evening’s end
To-morrow on the ground they had been strewn.
A sign they are those beauties that you own
Once they have flowered you never may defend
From time’s fell hand to which they soon must bend
And suddenly perish like blooms overblown.

Time hurries by, lady; time hurries by;
No, not time, but we, we hurry on,
And soon beneath the common slab will lie,
And those fond loves we spend much words upon
When we are dead, will never need a tongue;
Oh love me, love, while we are fair and young.



Author Unknown 0124 Translator unknown
See Robert HERRICK To the Virgins to make Much of Time and
Pierre de RONSARD Sonnets à Hélène

Author Unknown 0124 AuUnM_0124_AuUnM_0000 PST_DLZ