ARCHAIC PATTERNING

Author’s notes : In this piece I explore some of  the ‘archaic patterns’ which have come down to us in the form of nursery rhymes. The first and last verses are based on a rhyming, beating chant I used to make as a child – The words are

“Mosquito One, …( 4 syllables/beats )

Mosquito two… ( 4 syllables/beats )

Mosquito jump ina hat Callaloo” ( 10 syllables/beats )

Clearly the surface intellectual content, is quickly exhausted, yet to this day the rhythm, beated out to the words holds a ridiculous fascination…

                          

Muscat be sweet – muscat be Quick. 

Muscat be done, with fire’s dancing stick. 

Time to play, time to drift, in times stream,

Reflecting wide, spaced on tardis deck.

  

Blow the horn,blow the horn, preacher’s man.

Make way fast,  for love train to Matristan.                          

Stack it and stuff  it, furnish it deep and true.

Usher it then to dreamland for me and you.     

All commers too can hitch a ride.

Any Mr Y and any Mrs X can join the Eastward flow.

Why even You and I can, join the caravan,

To touch the grail of laughter.

And dream a while on the upper deck.

                                   

There wonders will we see,  myriads to view.

Opportunity’s  locks let’s now seize,we’ve no time to loose 

Let’s skip and match and mix a maxim with bird rib.     

And lift the lid off a daffodil like the old woman did.

We’ll ride a beam thought to Zanzibar’s crest, 

To taste honey finer and feast on the best.

With wings on our images and highways clear, 

Wherever we go beauty will always be near.

Together let’s dance this merry cantata.

Let’s be there, let’s be here, playmates laughter.  

Tomorrow renewed tis more the merrier.

Chant it’s echo from rooftop and gladened rafters.

Muscat be Quick – Muscat be Sweet.

Muscat be done – with Fire’s dancing beat.

Time to play, time to go, return oh do,

And again away from the hubbub and the hullaballoo

To shade aside and away from midday heat.