JACKANELLA, JACKANELLA

Two weeks ago my eldest daughter gave birth to two delightful twins, Jack and Ella, and this little tale is for them.

JACKANELLA, JACKANELLA

It was a light and fairy day in Just-a-Laughing land.

The wind was drifting from the utmost West

and there was mischief in the sand.

Down by the dingle dell a little laugh was heard

as in a secret hollow a mischief joy was planned.

“Jackanella, Jackanella” came whispering on the breeze,

“Jackanella, magic word, and whisper magic spells!”

And an old man answered with an old man wheeze

and an old man's cackling old man's sprouting cough,

“Well bless my shoes and bless my socks and bless my blessed knees!”

And from the dell an elfin laugh with giggling tinkling notes

a joyous little sound of joy, a pipkin precious voice

“We've got our oars, we've got the sails, we've even got the boats,

come sail with us across the sea granddaddy out of sight -

but wrap up toasty warm old man, and don't forget your coats!”

Hand in hand the pipkin elves raced down the golden sand,

a boy elf here, a girl elf there, like magic made of flesh,

and they took their granddad, daft old man, by a wrinkled ancient hand

and they danced upon a moonbeam's light, they giggled to the stars

As they sailed in laughter and in joy to a far off secret land.

It was a place where dreams come true, where men are always free,

where fruits grow ripe and golden pears and oranges so sweet,

and joys like cherries dawn to dusk cluster every noble tree,

and nights are made for special dreams and even sweeter deeds

in Jackanella's fairy life across a magic sea.

© Peter Rogerson 19.01.13