Jan. 22nd, 2004

ingwall: (as'?)
What happened in Africa

by Vladimir Vysotsky

In a hot and yellow land
Called “African savanna”
Something happened, quite unplanned,
In a most disturbing manner.
Someone said: “We’ve sinned enough
For a Flood already!”
Antelope and young Giraffe
Said they’re going steady!

The land resounded with cries,
And only Parrot, old and wise,
Responded shrilly from his nest:
“Giraffe is big! and he knows best.”

“Screw the racial purity!” –
Cried Giraffe with passion. –
“Equal opportunity
Is now the latest fashion!
And I give my solemn word:
Not a single minute
Will I spend in my old herd,
If she can’t be in it!”

The land resounded with cries,
And only Parrot, old and wise,
Responded shrilly from his nest:
“Giraffe is big! and he knows best.”

“Dear Giraffe and Antelope,
Please respect our wishes
And admit you can’t elope
'cause you’re different species!”
But they said to kin and kith:
“Enough of your advisin’!”
And they found a shelter with
A friendly herd of bison.

The land resounded with cries,
And only Parrot, old and wise,
Responded shrilly from his nest:
“Giraffe is big! and he knows best.”

Yellow, hot savanna land
Is no longer placid:
Mom Giraffe and her old man
Weep with tears of acid.
The sight that sent them through the roof
Could not have been much cuter:
Their young daughter, hoof in hoof
With her Bison suitor!

And yet Giraffe is not to blame,
There is another I would name:
The one who shouted from his nest:
“Giraffe is big! and he knows best.”

March 2019

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