The Three Cheeses


The Three Cheeses
© 2007 Randy Parrish-Bell

… a song recalling our adventures in the
Kingdom of Atenveldt
Estrella War XXIII, A.S. XLI

The Guidwife boiled the milk for cheese
For morrow’s mid-day meal to eat
Poured into a cloth and with a squeeze
Three Cheeses tied and hung up so neat.

Upon the spit the Guidman tends
A fine pork roast for evening’s sup
In a pot carrot and parsnip blend
With savory spice in a squash so plump.

As all was calm and good in camp
The household gathered for the feast
The candles flickered in the lamp
The first fierce breath was felt of the beast.

 And the balls of cheese hung fast thru the night
 Dancing merrily unaware of our plight
 Though we were scared and ready to quit
 They mocked the beast for the whey of it.

Then out the candles’ flames did blow
The hot wax splattered on our good meal
Near to the fire the embers did glow
As they flew high for the beast to steal.

The beast did make a game of it
Tossing things far ‘cross the field
But swinging on a rope they flit
Three cheeses gleefully ne’r did yield.

The Guidman staked down all he could
While other camps were heard in woe
And even though our own walls stood
Those of our friends fell to the foe.

 And the balls of cheese hung fast thru the night
 Dancing merrily unaware of our plight
 Though we were scared and ready to quit
 They mocked the beast for the whey of it.

Tucked tight in bed the Guidwife fears
The beast will take both home and hall
All night she wakes for the beast heaves near
No sleep for her ’til it’s rampage stalls.

The morn has brought the ruin of poles
And banners’ hues now ripped in half
No flame stays lit for the stove or coals
The beast lets out its evil laugh.

The household stood so tired and beat
All covered thick with sand and dirt
But the cheese was clean and ripe to eat
The beast then died… so we had dessert!

 And the balls of cheese hung fast thru the night
 Dancing merrily unaware of our plight
 Though we were scared and ready to quit
 They mocked the beast for the whey of it.