CLX and CLXI

"On works gone wayward, stagnant, or awry" and "An ode to my cat while playing Neon Abyss 2"

A man once took his bucket to the well

and said “I won’t stop ‘til everyone knows

just how much water this well has, until

it’s dry, and we will know how deep it goes.”

Then bucket after bucket did he pull

from deep inside that well, over and o’er.

His arms began to shake with each brimful,

but still the well held water—much, much more.

At last he cried, “alas! I can’t go on!

This well has not run dry, but runs dry me!

Somebody else, come draw until it’s gone,

and with your added efforts, then we’ll see.”

It’s not the fount that makes the work awry.

The arm is cramped before the well runs dry.

~~~

Upon my flat screen monitor displayed

are lurid neon lights and lasers long,

and electronic dance music is played,

the bass beats bumping loud with every song.

But here on our side of that lavish screen

we sit on plush plump pillows and duvets.

Betimes you move your eyes with the machine,

and else your head upon my shoulder lays.

You don’t know what those lights imply, do you?

It’s motion and it’s color that you watch.

But that’s exactly why I like it, too—

the meaning is a less important notch.

If you should know their meaning, would you stay,

and cuddle with me still, and watch me play?