Image: Haiku event at The Full English, an Austin cafe based on a cafe in Bradford  which sells food cooked English style, Fish and Chips and Full English breakfasts. They've also got HP sauce and English malt vinegar, one of the few places I don't have to take mine. It is also rapidly making its name as a great open mic venue. I'm reciting a haiku about one of their lamb pasties, written on the spot there. In this section for poems about Austin Wildlife Rescue I often use the initials AWR usually for rhyming purposes.

 

02.04.2017 - 21) Expressions last night went alright

All those there got to know about a time I told a boss where to go

Enthused and amused they were rocking with laughter

At another poem about what happened after

One they didn’t think odd, called The State of God

Saying “In Texas he made the best, better than the rest

Sarcasm poking saying when he made the other States he was joking

Two more then listen to the rest giving their best

Then tiredness began creeping, after 20 hours it was time for sleeping

Time to head for my motel and bed

Driving away, thinking not a bad way, to end a troublesome day.

 

22) Comfy bed a delight, went out like a light

No complaining as I woke to the sound of raining

The time to rise, to Walmart to get a cell phone, then a surprise

I couldn’t believe my eyes

The airline compensatory card to buy toiletries didn’t want to play

Try as I might it was again and again rejected, not what I expected

So disappointed I came away

Hoping things would go right and my suitcase gets to the motel tonight

 

23) The sky grey, a dull start to the day

Then it became dark as I walked in Walmart car park

Lightenin’ flashed an’ thunder crashed

The rain poured, things didn’t look good, low lying areas looked in flood

Makin’ my way through heavy spray.

Driving downtown rain still pouring down

Then it started slowing, stopped an’ blue sky started showing

The sun came out, not a moment too soon

An’ I’m writin’ this on a familiar sunny Austin afternoon

 

24) Fellow poets to me at Malvern Books W 29th Street

We’ll sing say an’ play at the first event of the day

Then take the road that leads, to Burnett an’ recycled reads

An’ no doubt they’ll go alright

Before we head to Kick Butt for our final gig of the night

 

25) At Malvern Books the audience’s spirits were raised as Texas I praised

Thinkin’ it was great when I called it Gods own state

Fun poking saying when he made the other states he was joking

An’ they almost gave me a cheer

When I said how great it was comin’ back year after year

 

26) Then Recycled Reads I walked through the door

Bringing the number of readers to four

Not many but four more than not any

Not many customers about but we still speak out with spirit glistening

Because you never know, one of them may be listening

27) Thom an’ Bob made us six. It became quite a poetry mix

As we began reeling off poems with an international feeling

Of which there was a wealth,

From 3 gals from Texas an’ 3 guys from the Commonwealth

 

28) I’d got to Kick Butt then news I wanted to hear

A phone call from Norma at the motel “your suitcase is here”.

So off like a shot and it I got, so delighted when me an’ it were reunited

But Thom was the happiest of the two, cos’ he knew

His Olbas Oil and Wendy’s Bourneville had finally got through

They can't get Bourneville in Texas and Olbas Oli is expensive, hence me taking a years supply for which I get reimbursed

 

03.04.2017 – 29) Another day an’ down the road I go,

Country music on the radio

Makin’ my way to my first day

To Austin Wildlife Rescue where I’ll see

Which little critters are waitin’ for me

Needin’ beddin’ changin’ and feedin’

Everyone  a treasure attendin’ to them’s a pleasure

What better way to spend the first part of the day

 

30) Come on squirrel raise that sleepy head, it’s time to be fed

I’m lookin’ as he’s suckin’.

Formula from the syringe, an’ it’s grand he’s laid in my hand

That’s what I’m here for, been waitin’ all year for

Squirrels fed, possums to do, fun feedin’ those too

Hissin’, teeth bared as if scared

Becoming all cheek an’ charm as they sense you mean them no harm

Then laundry to do, how time flew

An’ one things plain, I’ll be back tomorrow to do it all again

 

04.04.2017 - 31) I’m drivin’ along an’ something ain’t right

On the car dashboard’s a warnin’ light

Tour now on song, don’t want anything else goin’ wrong

Didn’t want it thwarted, took it back to the rental place an’ got it sorted

They told me while I was there, it was one of the tyres that needed extra air

 

32) A temperature of 90 was expected, nothing to fear usual for Austin this time of the year

Cos’ in Summer Austin folk’ll tell, it gets as hot as 50 miles South of hell

So at AWR our first chore before

The heat we couldn’t bide was to see to the animals in the cages outside

Fresh food an’ water, give the cages a spray check every one of them was present an’ okay

No need to ask, it was a rewardin’ task

Each fed accordin’ to their needs

With fruit, puppy chow, nuts an’ sunflower seeds

Then the little guys inside in their cages,

Floors cleaned an’ covered with fresh newspaper pages

Food an’ water for the critturs within

Now I’m takin’ the time, to capture this mornin’s events in rhyme

 

33) Comanche Trail you follow to Hippie Hollow

A relaxin’ break by Travis Lake,

Feel the breeze, enjoy the shade of the trees

Listen to the waves lap the shore, who could ask for more

 

05.05.2017 - 34) Wore a long sleeved shirt so my sunburn didn’t hurt

When the sun comes out which it would without doubt

The thought of it inviting despite a cold morning wind biting

So call for breakfast on the way to a labour of love at this part of the day

A morning shift where my spirits lift

At Austin Wildlife Rescue an’ I’m wondering which of ‘em it’ll be

The injured an’ abandoned of God’s creatures

That gets a helpin’ hand from me

 

35) My shift begun, priority number one

In order of priority and need the first we’d feed

Was squirrels category B, C and D

Formula from a syringe, hold it steady, ok little guys get ready

Are they thinkin’ “catch us if you can poetry man”

Runnin’ round their cage, before their feedin’ we engage

Always the same but a delightful game, catch one and the deed is done

Catch another an’ more until you’ve completed this part of the chore

The category E joined the melee

Until it was seen they’d all been fed and their cages were clean

An’ before I knew, again the morning flew

I left not with sorrow, but a sense of satisfaction about the interaction

And a look forward to tomorrow

 

36) Call at the motel, shirt change then back to my car

A pre fest gig on North Lamar

Half Price Books an’ soon the poetry’s reelin’

An event with an international feelin’

Poets from around the world, our poetry unfurled

From Argentina and Australia, they’d come a long way

An’ me from the UK

Local poets too, so delightin’ to hear each other recitin’

Proving as always in the main, poetry breaks down barriers again

 

37) Half Price Books done, Rad Radam Food Court sought

Once there I find to my despair, in my bag, some of my poems ain’t there

I’ve an idea where they may be so there may be no need for sorrow

If they are I can collect them tomorrow

 

38) Thom was going at 8 so I decided not to wait

So back to where I’d last been a community centre and my poems were seen

It was a relief and delight

To know I’d got them for the AIPF opening day

And for Wake the Dead at San Marcos tomorrow night

 

06.04.2017 – 39) Morning work at Wildlife Rescue done, sure was fun

Feedin’ the squirrels an’ couldn’t believe one tried to escape runnin’ up my sleeve

Then the opossums, puppy chow an’ slop watch for then bitin’ don’t get caught on the hop

Been volunteerin’ there for four years now, is it worth it? It is and how

 

40) New World Deli for registration and food for the soul,

Only had a half sandwich, couldn’t eat a whole

Ham, salami an’ cheese, “everything on it?” “Yes please”

Half was enough, real good stuff

Now get the City Read goin’ and the poetry flowin’

 

41) Some of us soon had to go, so we let Del know

He said ok and put us on straight away

One of my poems went like a song

Austin to Castleford in 4 minutes, I wish the journey home really was that long

Listen to some of the others then away

To Recycled Reads, my second event on Registration Day

 

42 Pizza sign says “Drivers make $15 to $18”

I thought “I ain’t seen that topping on a menus pages”

Then I realised they were advertising a driver hourly wages

 

43) To Recycled Reads where I did do, not just one event but two

A poem about going home at the end of last years roam

And others about what I’d done before, about writin’ many a travel score

Then pick up Thom an’ Magic Jack an’ head to San Marcos to Wake the Dead

Monthly event ain’t to far time for coffee an’ an energy bar

To keep me goin’, when I get my poetry flowin’

 

44) Wake the Dead I read my rhymes about my travellin’ times

An’ others too, about tellin’ a boss what to do

Goin’ on to relate Texas being God’s own State

Plus a selection from another collection

Some slightly crude about my bad attitude

Goin’ back to my first tour, I recited some more

Enjoyin’ listenin’ to others in between, part of the San Marcos poetry scene

A good part of it was when, some of us there and then

Wrote on inspiration proving without doubt,

Poets’ll always find something to write about

 

07.04.2017 - 45) Last night we run back from Wake the Dead thinkin’ it had been fun

Me, Thom an’ Magic Jack, makin’ our way back

Reflectin’ on what went down in San Marcos town

An’ what we lacked in quantity, we sure made up for in quality

Readin’ from memory or pages, poets of all ages

From first timers to veteran rhymers

All with somethin’ to say from finish to start an’ all sayin’ it from the heart

 

46) Little possum in his cage abidin’ didn’t see where it was hidin’

I opened the cage drawer, it made like it was headin’ for the door

I caught it stroked it, held it close to me, so it would see

I meant it no harm, the look in its eyes seemed to say

I won’t bite you cos’ it’ll hurt, instead the cheeky li’l critter pooped down my shirt

 

47) New World Deli for a second time,

Left Greg the owner a copy of a previous rhyme

It was appreciated I felt elated as he said it was fine

And an honour an’ I’m thinkin’ an honour that is mine

 

08.04.2017 - 48) Last night, time to chill and chew the fat

The Green Man Cafe it was at

Group of us meet, there on Linda Street

Gentle breeze begins to blow, lightnin’ bugs tails begin to glow

In flight as evenin’ turns to night

Airport nearby, planes above comin’ an’ goin’

Each other we’d soon be knowin,

An’ soon I was chattin’ away to a fellow Brit from the UK

The above poem was my 1,000th travelling poem 

 

49)  Drivin’ to the AWR, on my mind, what will I find

When I ask, “What is this morning’s task?”

I’m told, my part is to make a start

On the baby possums in the racoon room

Change their water, clean newspaper for a bed in readiness for when they get fed

Always a delight an’ a pleasure an’ I often get the time to put it in rhyme

So I begun while they still slept in their hammocks my fingers crept

Into their cages, changed the beddin’ with care aware of the danger there

If they decided to wake and not linger

Leave their hammocks and try to bite my finger

 

50) Low tyre pressure warning light came on again last night

I’d sort it out but there was doubt

At the first gas station the attendant with a frown

Told me some idiot with a car had knocked the airline down

What happened next wasn’t funny, buying a sandwich I found I’d forgot my money

No dread, use credit card instead but for such a small amount blush red

But soon elated, to find gas station with working airline, tyre inflated

Then AWR followed by something else I like, Recycled Reads two City Readings an' an open mic

 

51) First City Read I read about my first tour

From breakfast as day was dawning on that first morning

About each flight and finally landing at night

What had been and seen in between

Flying far, collecting my car and finding out to my cost how at first I easily got lost

How it was no jape, then how the AIPF took shape

With joy I was smitten as I got up to say, some poems I’d written on the way

Open mic I read a mix, of poems from 1996

When human eradication loomed, it seemed we were all doomed

So they said filling many with dread,

An anthology HIV Is Living In Me

To make people aware this was no big phobic scare

Second City Read I delve into my selection of poems from 2012

Some of the best from my second Forrest Fest

Written on location during a poetry vacation

How it all went down in Lamesa town

Creation from inspiration, on a poetry roam from radio station to old persons home

Dress as a pirate an’ play the fool at a local elementary school

Second round I got up to say what I wrote on the second day

An’ takin’ a while’ to write cowboy style

An’ share more poems writ in the open air

Third round I got up to say, some poems I’d written today

An’ one more as there was a round four

Then time to go, rest get myself right for two more events tonight

An’ the future looks far from bleak

Cos’ there’s another open mic at Recycled Reads on Saturday week

 

52) Alarm sounds, rise, dress

Get in car, set sat nav, head

For Haiku event

 

This was it poem 1000 since 2011

53[1000]) Black coffee in mug

Lamb pasty on white plate, salt

Knife, fork, time to eat

 

54) Just write seventeen

Syllables, then get up and

Read it your haiku

 

55) Haiku poetry

And tea event with Thom

Midnight to dawn next

 

56) Eleven thirty

Thirty minutes left to go

Finish at midnight

 

57) Over 1000

Poems since 2011

Including haikus

 

58) Open car window

Put out my bare arm, the rain

Feels like cooling balm

 

59) Run out of haikus

Inspiration gone, Midnight

To Dawn event starts early

 

60) Just gone 12-o- clock

Under 6 hours to go, then

A welcoming bed

 

61) Midnight to Dawn marathon of poetry art, 19 people at the start

Some listen, let inspiration glisten

Let the poetry be rendered, how many will be left when it’s ended?

An’ three more have just come through the door

Poetry flowing, numbers growing just gone one let the poetry run

More here after the first hour, kept here by poetry power

Two o clock it’s going strong, but some haven’t lasted that long

So I’ll still carry on with my rhyme

But may have done the Donkey Poems for the last time

It’s just gone three, fewer in number, some have gone too their slumber

Now just gone three, half the event gone,

We’re counting down from now on

People came and went at the Midnight to Dawn event

While some recited and gave their best, others gave their eyelids a rest

Then four came, fewer of us carried on the same

Then five, the event still alive

Stalwarts making it so, only an hour to go

Now it’s six it’s all been said an’ read, an’ I’m away to my bed

 

62) 6:30 a m I’m in bed, later rise to face the day ahead

Shower shave, dress then away for the AIPF’s final day

Need some gas, gettin’ it ain’t hard,

A nearby Walmart and a gasoline gift card

Tank filled, still in credit, good to go, to the library I need to know

Need to look an’ maybe reply to e mails an’ messages on facebook

E mails from home sayin’ they’re glad I’m enjoyin’ my roam

I reply an’ tell it’s goin’ well

Discard the junk mail but check an’ reply to the rest

Particularly from Connie about the Forrest Fest

Over the Panhandle Plain, in Lamesa to the West

Facebook messages read, replies sent, what I’ve done, how things went

An’ they’re soon knowin’ where I’m goin

Then a hungry feeling in the pit of my belly

Where to go; decide on The New World Deli

Remembering the time I immortalised their food in rhyme

Good food in the main. Would be great to eat there again

Arrived, food ordered an’ soon got to know, a reading was in full flow

Asked Linda Marie if there was time to share my rhyme

She said “sure just grab your page and get on stage”

Brief introduction, no ruction

Relaxed an’ clear saying how great it was to be here

Opened with a haiku that brought my travel poems score

To 1000 then read two more

One a rhyming resume about Midnight to Dawn at the start of today

Then finish an’ gently exude, an expression of gratitude

Remove my cap sayin’

“For inviting me to answer Texas national poetry months call

thank you Austin, thank you all"

 

63) After the event I was asked what I thought

I smiled and said they ought to makin’ it plain

Use the New World Deli as HQ again

An’ next year I hope it’s done, cos’ I weren’t the only one

That praised the situation of the new location

Makin’ it clear how good I thought it was this year

Then with happy heart, wish each other well and depart Then I’m away

For my penultimate event at Malvern Books on AIPF 2017’s final day

 

64) Casually composin’ letting the inspiration flow

Not to taxin’ almost relaxin’

Occasionally I’ll push my chair back,

Put my pencil down close my eyes an’ chill

Relax to the sound of what’s goin’ on around

Then inspiration back, thoughts on track

Thinkin’ today’s theme could be well debated, it’s “Pretence is Overated”

 

The following is an adaptition of one of my anti management bad attitude poems

65) Down the glen came the management men, like the Bengal Lancers

Under the pretence they were clever men

Staff thought they’d be better pretending to be a bunch of chancers

Down the glen came the management men

There pretence could be debated

As many of them may have thought their pretence was overrated

 

66) Kick Butt I’m called up first, no need to fear the worst

Read poems from my last roam about the journey home

Had a thought, make it all one, from journey start till it’s done

Shorten the journey time in rhyme

Four minutes it went like a song I only wish he journey home was that long

 

67)  AIPF now done but there’s another one

Forrest Fest at Lamesa across the Panhandle Plain

How great it’ll be to perform there again

But today I’ve been told, there’s rain on the way

Could be, there’s a cool wind an’ a grey start to the day

However what will be will be, but for now I’m gettin’ in my car

An’ headin’ down to the AWR.

 

68) The rain fell this morning but not on my head

I was inside getting the li’l possums ready to be fed

Some in their hammocks again sleepin’ my hands creepin’

Like a thief in the night, don’t want to give them no fright

Don’t want them being perturbed at being disturbed

An there’s a few who think it’s a caper to hide under the beddin’ paper

Thinkin’ it’s alright to give me a fright

Or is it sayin’ to this poetry bloke, even the smallest of God’s creatures likes a joke

 

69) Morning work done I’m drivin’ away, rain slowin’ down to a misty spray

An’ I’m knowin’ it’s somewhere quiet I want to be goin’

Solitude I seek, Mount Meynell, Lake Travis, Bull Creek

Where I can be, at one with nature and nature at one with me

 

11.04.2017 - 70) It rained last night but I never knew it, slept right through it

Goin’ for coffee I found, pools of water on the ground

Sky lookin’ grey as if to say "don’t get complacent, there’s more on the way".

 

71) Tending the animals sweat running down my face, need to slow down a pace

An’ in one cage couldn’t be seen, the possum that should have been

I looked high an’ low, thinkin’ where did it go

Then saw it in the  cage corner up high,

Lookin’ as if thinkin’ “ha, ha, ha had you worried limey guy”.

It sure did

 

72) Leavin’ AWR  it’s raining, slowly I ain’t complaining

Can go somewhwere I’ve never been

Take photos of what I ain’t yet seen

Or solitude seek and take the road to Bull Creek

Bull Creek bound, it’s soon found

Car parked an away, to enjoy this part of the day

Rain comin’ down slow’ along the creek I go

No one else to see, there’s only me

Ain’t gonna complain, at one with nature again

 

73) Rain now really comin’ down, I’m still west of town

Now take, the road to Travis Lake

Windy point I ain’t yet been, gonna see what there is to be seen

Once again no one’s about rains stopped ‘em coming out

I don’t care, I’m there

Taken’ photo’s to show the folks back home,

Another part of my 2017 Texas roam

Photos taken now I’ll nip, back to my car and have a kip

Rain hittin’ the roof like little hammers tappin’

I’m snug inside nappin’

Then wake, to Mansfield Dam, more photos to take

Before the day ends an’ I meet up with friends

 

12.04.2017 - 74) Goin’ down the road this mornin’ and there’s a light

Showin’ somethin’ ain’t right

Light showed up plain, low tyre pressure again

Can’t be doing with this no more if the tyre goes bang, I’m really gonna be sore

Back to the airport without delay told ‘em what’s wrong they changed it straight away

Only thing with changing the car, I missed workin’ at the AWR

But no need for sorrow, I’ll help the li’l critters tomorrow

Tendin’ ‘em to help get them back where they belong

An’ hope my replacement car doesn’t go wrong

 

75) Replacement car a delight, I’m on Ben E White

To Manacca Library I’m bound, a quick ask an’ it; soon found

Computer spare an’ I’m sat there

Have a look at what’s goin’ down on facebook

Bit of thought, send off  a progress report

For those hankerin’ for more, news about my current tour

Post pictures of where I’ve been an’ what I’ve seen

So they’re knowin’ where I’ve been goin’

E mail family so I can tell them things is okay, things is still going well

 

76) To late for brunch but just right for lunch

Full English the cafe’s name, the meal the same

All day breakfast just like back home

Sausage, egg, mushrooms, tomatoes, bacon? Of course

An a nice dollop of good old English HP sauce

 

77) Louise, Robin an me, make it three

Through the door comes Thom makin’ it four

The Bob, Molly an’ Ben make it seven

Hoping our writing inspiration will leven

As we sit around, ideas abound

An soon we’re writin’ away, maybe prose or rhyme

It sure is a good way to pas the time

 

78) To be nice and good

It to treat others as I

Would have them treat me

 

79) What would I leave behind for others to find

What would they look upon when they find me gone?

What would have been my worth during my time on earth?

I really wouldn’t like ot bet, more could happen cos’ I ain’t dead yet

 

80) Radam Lane once again open air food court, poetry sought

It’s Wednesday night, once again it’s goin’ alright

Gentle breeze blowin’ poetry flowin’

Read a poem, read another, read more old or new score

Before the evenin’ ends red poems from absent friends

Do the deed just get up and read

 

13.04.2017 - 81) Radio on, I’m drivin’ along

I got country, I got gospel, let it flow, stop me feeling low

Let the singers with their vocal gift, give my spirits a lift

Take me back a while, a memory to make me smile

Sing a happy song as I’m drivin’ along

To who knows where, make it a pleasure driving there

Where ever I am, makin’ time or stuck in a traffic jam

Maybe pull over if I got the time

An’ you’ve inspired me to compose another rhyme

 

14.04.2017 - 82) Radio Stations quite a range, this morning a change

Drivin’ takin’ stock, of the day ahead listenin’ to baroque

Nice an’ spritely, violinist playin’ ever so lightly

On the steerin’ wheel my fingers tappin’ away

An’ I’m thinkin, what better musical start to the day

 

83) Green Man Cafe on Linda Street, time to eat, meet an’ greet

Friends before the day ends

Gather round expound let the evenin’ flow

Before we go lightenin’ bugs tails aglow

Can’t dispute, Bob’s playin’ his flute

Thom’s doin’ a poem that’ll hopefully bring, the rites of Spring

Bonfire lit, incantations round it

Read an’ say what we want to say, what better way to end the day

 

15.04.2017 - 84) Car radio renditionin’ I’m feelin’ the air conditionin’

Like coolin’ charms on my bare arms

Quiet on the roads it’s Easter Holiday

An’ some folks’ll take, time to enjoy the break

Stop fpr breakfast an’ soon I’m nearin’

The AWR where I’m doin some volunteerin’

An’ the animals’ll be waitin’ no debatin’

They’’ be needin, cages cleanin’, they’ll want feedin’

An’ it’ll all be done there, by people who care

With kindly heart, playin’ their part

 

85) At the AWR Jules said “I got just the job for you

the possums in the racoon room to do”

I got started an’ did it whole hearted

Got the rubbish from yesterday, thrown away

Clean newspaper for the cage floor, fresh water an’ more

Formula for the category C’s but not the D’s an’ E’s

Then puppy chow an’ more fresh vegetables on the cage floor

Make sure they’re all there, handle with care

This job sure takes some beatin’

When you’re leavin’ an’ you see them on the cage floor eatin’

A sign to tell, you’ve done your job an’ done it well

 

86) Another part of the tour I’m here for

What I like, I’m at Recycled Reads for another open mic

No time to shirk, get up an’ read my latest work

With Louise, Thom, Bob an’ the rest

An’ look forward to the 18th when I head west

To be part of Lamesa Forrest Fest

 

87) They say “Immigrants not wanted”

They don’t want their community spoiling

Do they not realise what they’ve got today

Is from the sweat of previous immigrants toiling

Coming from far away setting the foundations of the country that it is today

A country of which they became part, but was never theirs from the start

 

16.04.2017 - 88) Laundry to do, first I was blue

No soap powder to be had, for this travelin’ lad

Walmart sought, detergent bought

Thought with a smile, this’ll last a while

An’ what I’ve got at tours end, I’ll leave with a friend

But for now I know, it’s clean clothes where ever I go

 

89) Washing done, into the dryer, could be the odd sock or two

Then back at the room I noticed, I’d forgot to wash my jeans too

No worries I can get them washed an’ pressed

In a few days when I’m at Connie’s for the Forrest Fest

But there were no odd socks when I checked

Once again they was all present an’ correct

 

17.04.217 - 90) Drivin’ to the AWR with a smile

It’s goin’ to be my last mornin’ for a while

Cos tomorrow I head west for Lamesa’s Forrest Fest

More time for my poetry an’ rhyme

But for now to the AWR to find out

Which animals need feedin’ an’ their cages cleanin’ out

 

91) First some dirty boxes to take, an’ make clean for the next racoon intake

Then the possums an’ in one cage is seen

Nothin’ of where the li’l critter should have been

I’m wonderin’ where it’s gone then I was told it had passed on

I felt sad that it was no longer there

But proud to be part of a team that in its short life, had given it love an’ care

 

92) Dozen Street, another poets meet, on East 12 Street

Type of event we like, book launch followed by open mic

Then a test, a haiku contest

Do it right, subject given so it’s fresh on the night

Well I can tell, I rose to the challenge an’ rose to it well

But have early start tomorrow and have to go

But it’s among my tour poems, it’s the one below

 

I didn't have time to recite it for the contest as I was making an early start for Lamesa, geting on the road before the traffic builds up.

93) A haiku is three

Lines, seventeen syllables

It’s compulsory