Passing by a Park

On a walk through the lanes, houses, dames
Of this balmy-good, old neighbourhood,
I chained my canine companion to
My sutherpaw as I went, excited as he was
By our weaving through a stream of humanity,
Trickling as it were on towards the refreshing fields
And greener space of the park and batting-ground

As I drew near, amongst this man-and-woman water,
a greater and greater flow built up
Of people through these channel streams
Sidewalk, lane, and road
And I saw along with young nymphs,
Approaching the days of fiercest courtship,
The youngest boys of summer there did cavort
Though with a purpose to their stride

Towards the park we went, meandered in the course,
Through straight and true-shod it was,
My Freeman†, chained, and I
The gravel and silt of this river
Carried to its final destination

We came at lengths upon a great commotion,
Structures – bright and primary in color
There rose and blotted out the green
As was the Robins song drowned out
By the kinders'‡ scream, for at play were they
In this bright day, bouncing and training
In Reverence to the Ball’d, Batt’d Way

I saw ex-yuppies with their broods
Training them in the way of Society
A new generation gets its knocks and paces
Sets upon its courses, classes, stations

Here and now I watch it, and feel
Residual, vestigial evil still abounds
But the species must continue,
Bad though we may be with our
Inner darkness and cruelty,
So this is an evil, most necessary
If ever a one there was

Though I must confess a preference
A fondness if you will
Of this evil’s modus operandi,
Being as it is in brighter, lighter lair
Beneath the open air and sun
With that greatest threat of reproof
Realizing the erring of thy hand

Indeed, it is not like that
Which through darkness creeps
Our lives to take and souls to keep,

The least of which is but a fact
Of pragmatic human sensuality
For where the boys of summer play,
There’s so much more of the fairer sex
Gracing the scene with their attendance

So, infinitely greater is your chance
To find a sweet nymph or sylph
Or you know, just a nice young lady
That is fair in actuality.