First 10 Pages

Day 1

The older man with a coat of grey shag, needed a favor:

To find a woman, with colored glass, and a lamb he could savor.

I happened to know just the shop he was seeking,

And brought him alas to her place, that was leaking.

The woman herself, was plump and was cheery,

But her shop smelled of mold, and the mess was all dreary.

She had bells from the ceiling, meat in the den,  Cuckoo clocks and frantic live chickens. The man was so grateful, he let go of my arm, Then pulled out a card with a silvery charm.

“You stick to this,” he spoke with a whistling voice,

“You stick to this way, and you stick to this choice.”

He then patted my hand and scuttled away

From the woman and me, with a dip and a sway.

 

So, I left the store and was back in the street,

And hurried to investigate this curious treat.

An invitation embroidered in a gold and silver thread,

And with a glowing violet star flower, dried to the edge.

A wedding, outside, for a Mr. Delicious

And for his Miss Vale, his soon to be Mrs.

 

The day was today, and the time was at two,

I gazed at the charm and thought, “What should I do?”

The time now was just after 9 in the morn,

And I would need my nice coat and nice shoes and to find the right home.

“This is crazy!” I said to myself in my head,

I should engage in my chores with smart logic, instead. But as I passed through the door, I went right on upstairs,

Pulled out my long coat, then combed out my hair.

“This is madness!” I say to myself once again,

“What terrible nonsense, I should just stay in!” But just as the words were passing my lips,

I was swinging my messenger bag over my hip.

And out in the world to find this new way, And go to a wedding to dally and play. The house was not far from my home,

And yet it stood back as if all alone.

I walked up to the door with a gift box with candles,

Then, read the sign that said to just pull the handles.

 

But inside, oh what to behold,

A place filled with newness along with the old.

3D faces in copper and pewter frames,

Of all shapes and all sizes playing word games!

And they all turned to me, and then one did ask,

“Who might you be, youth with the brass?”

“I was invited, you see, I have this here card.”

“Sure, go on ahead then, straight back to the yard.”

That face smiled in welcome, and then continued their game,

As if nothing was different, and all was the same.

 

 

The inside was marble and looked like old Rome,

With statues on spiral staircases, in this great home.

But as I gaped at the ballroom I went out to the back,

Where I was greeted by the same man, but now wearing all black.

“I see you have made it!” He beams proudly at me.

“Come further outside, and let me get you some tea.

“My name is Mr. Vale, and how do you do,”

“You’re the father?” I asked, “Very pleased to meet you.” He ushered us both with his arm as we walked further out,

I could hardly believe what this place was about!

 

“Welcome to the land of Juju, my dear,

It is not often we get guests on our land around here.” I marveled at lightbulbs that grew in the grass

And watched flowers get planted, then grow very fast. The violet flowers, they grew, and they shook and they glowed as if on display for all to behold.

 

And there were birds in the water and fish in the sky, Feathers that swim and Gills that could fly! There was a woman who could blow a bubble around you,

Then float you on up, so you bob and bounce, too.

I was hesitant to climb fully inside

And let this strange woman give me a ride.

Her skin glistened in blue, her eyes twinkled in pink,

She danced when she laughed, and she jumped when she’d speak.

Her clothes would all flow like flags in the wind, Drawing your eyes in her pleasant direction.

Miss Mable, they called her, a name that did fit,

A woman who moved much, yes, she hardly did sit.

 

There was a woman with a skirt as big as a house.  She bustled around in her tightly fit blouse. She had silver metal legs that walked on their own,

And she had to work so they all walked in unison.

The legs started around her thin waist,

Then extended straight out and bent at the crease. There were four metal legs, north east south and west,

And her skirt was all bustled to the end of her dress.

She had lace and pearls tied up in her hair,

She was much to behold, all dainty and fair.

 

There was a person with a front that looked like a man, But then he was robot in every other direction. His head was all clear with screws, cogs and wheels, And his neck was all brassy right down to his heels.

He laughed with a jerk but a warmth all the same, And I wandered over to find out his name.

“Sir James,” he did tell me as he offered a bow.

“Pleased to meet you,” I said, as I bowed down as well.

“I have never met anyone who wasn’t skin all around,

You are magical from your head, down to the ground!” He laughed again with a jerk and a smile that twitched.

And I liked him at once, so I stuck for a bit.

 

“We were talking ‘bout Kollack, do you watch do you play?”

I shook my head softly and asked, “What is the way?”

“Well, it is only the best game, I believe, I confide,

“with a field a mile long and 200 feet wide.

“There are 3 rings at each long end of the field,

“2 teams with 5 members with a team ball to wield.

“The first ring is large, 20 feet round,

“And the first ring, it sits pretty low to the ground.

“The second is 10 feet all around,

“And it sits a bit higher off of the ground. “The third ring is 5 feet and looks very small,

“And it sits at the highest point of them all.

“The first ring is 10 points to score,

“The second is 20 and the third’s thirty more. “And each time a team gets the ball through the ring

“The field swaps directions to change everything. “The home team gets one month to put whatever they want

“Within the field’s boundaries to challenge the lot.

“The current team runner is the one with the ball,

“Anyone can touch him to make him trip or to fall.

“But besides that, no one can touch, only block,

“or they are pulled from the game and must take a walk.

“And each team may only touch their own ball,

“And if a player breaks a rule, then a foul will be called.

“And each foul costs the teammates one point a piece

“So, the team loses five points, and no one is pleased.

“And after an hour is the end of the game

“And they tally the score up for all those who came.

“And if there’s a tie or no one has scored,

“Then they game keeps on going until the next points on the board.”

 

I blinked both my eyes and looked up in a haze,

The field tricks, the prep work, I was completely amazed.

Sir James then went on to talk of games past, Tales of fire, electronics, enclosures and gas.

“I do think to see a game would be great,

But I’m not sure that future is my destined fate.”

He waved his hand at me, like swatting a fly,

“I make my own fate, I just do, I don’t try.”

 

Then he noticed before him, a man with white hair,

Who had been patiently listening while standing right there.

“Oh, where are my manners,” Sir James shook his head,

“This here is Grimstone, a very dear friend.”

Mr. Grimstone removed a tall brown brimmed hat

And bowed, then he tipped it towards the place I was at.

When he spoke, his voice was much like a bear,

It growled and was gruff, but seemed patient and fair.

“I do say that Krollack has had a good past,

But a month long in prep work, then the game goes so fast!”

 

Then out of the grass came a silvery joy,

A dog, no a robot, or a toy for a boy!

It came barking, then nuzzled at Sir James’ feet,

Who said, “It’s about time, we should all take a seat.” The chairs were white plastic and spread out on the lawn,

We found three, then waited for the bridal song.

Then Mr. Vale came to us out of nowhere,

“Excuse me, my friend, you’re with me, over there.”

I said, “Oh!” and I turned to thank the two men, As Mr. Vale walked me in a different direction. “Now, stay here, I promise, I won’t be too long,

Just a small part of the bride’s bridal song.”

And away he went, I sat in the front and alone,

Then along came a man, not a person, a drone.

 

“Hello,” he said, “It is quite a nice day.

“I’m close to the bride so I sit where I may.” Then, there was a man in the front who was wearing all red,

A smile, a bowtie, but had the smallest of heads!

His head was the size of a smaller pear,

But his face was quite nice, as well as his hair.  But then, there was the song and a vision of grace, A woman with surely the loveliest face.

She was all in lilac, with a dress like a dream,

It billowed, it hugged her, it had a train like a stream.

Her flowers came straight from the grass,

Glowing violets and light bulbs and wires in mass.

And the father, how proud, as they walked down the aisle,

One could tell as he held her and by the weight of his smile.

 

There were stars in the archway with silver bells so small.

There were roses and daffodils and a face from the hall.

The face started saying, “We are here today

“To witness the love in the traditional way.”

He was the presider! He was the priest.

He led the whole ceremony from the start to the feast.

 

And the food, oh the food, was so rich and so merry, There was chicken, potatoes and even a cherry.

Mr. Vale made certain I had plenty to eat.

He would offer me salty, he would offer me sweet.

Then, Mr. and Mrs. Delicious came near

And he introduced me while taking great care.

He told them, “This friend has helped me find Tress,

“So, I asked them to come here as my personal guest.”

Mrs. Delicious, she tapped her nose,

“This man is deviant wherever he goes.

“He is the well-wishing keeper, he is the granter of dreams,

“And dreams build these towers and dreams build these seams.

“And outsiders rarely find their way through our door,

“They miss all the magic and all the allure.

“My father, the watcher, he brings only few,

“So, there must be something extra special about you.”

My face turned all crimson. My skin turned all hot,

I had not understood before that this was my shot.

Mr. Vale, said so clearly, “There is plenty to see,

“I think you should venture on, if not, just for me.

“Sir James, he makes a very nice companion,

“Ask him to take you to the Red River Canyon.”

 

And now before me lay a brand-new choice,

Do I go further ahead or speak up with my voice? But my fingers all tingled and I was right on the edge, I was ready to jump right off from a ledge. I was ready for new challenges that I could take on, I was practically dancing and bursting in song.

“What is the wish you would wish if you could?

“What is the wish you would wish if you would?”

Mr. Vale was the wish granter, that was now clear,

He leaned further forward and whispered into my ear,

“Each wish is special; no wish is ever the same.”

I said, “I would love to watch the next Kollack game!”

“Then, Sir James it is, he will bring you with him,

“This wish is easy. And he’ll make a good friend.”

 

And just in an instant there was the same man,

With his loyal dog, Compass, right at his left hand.

“Next match is in twelve days, including today. Can you get our friend there?”

Sir James nodded while calculating the where.

“Juju has 5 regions inside of its land,

“Here is called Ara, it is metal, air and

“Next is all water, Vaser is its name

“Then there are our forests, and they are called Edam.

“Foy has much desert and fire, But Eram are rivers and earth,

“Where the people have farms to grow crops and raise livestock from birth.

“Each region of Juju has its own Kollack team,

“Who draw lots in the beginning to see who is deemed

“The first, second, third, fourth and then fifth,

“This matters because the order of play works like this: “The first and the second play the first game of the season,

“The first gets the first home turf, for very good reason.

“The winner gets the third team to play,

“And the third team gets home turf, as it goes on in this way,

“The winner plays the team chosen fourth,

“And that home game is played on the fourth team’s home turf,

“The fifth team plays the winner of last

“And this ends the season, and the champion is cast.

“Up next in the season at Foy is game three,

“It will be quite a trek, but we’ll make it, you’ll see.

“Let me congratulate the bride and the groom,

“Then we can leave right away, yes we will leave very soon.”

 

So, off Sir James went, but he was back in a flash,

For my adventure in Juju from air then to ash.

And he said “For the two weeks, we will need a few things,

“These whimsical notions require more than wishes and rings.”

Mr. Vale did a grimace, but no one else saw,

Sir James proved he had the most logic of all.

“Tress also has a store on the inside of town,

“Let’s first go to there and I can show you around.”

 

So, we walked out of the back of the lawn,

To a street, I had neither seen nor been on.

Some houses had roots, and some sat on a cloud!

Some houses were quiet, and some were quite loud.

They were circular, twisty, fat, skinny and tall.

I especially liked the one with a slide off a wall.

Some houses had glitter, some had bright spots,

One had a mural of an elephant holding a rope full of knots.

And the grass, well it was not exactly all green,

There was pink, there was purple, there was bright tangerine!

Another house that I particularly thought looked very fancy, Was a house like a tuba, all bright and all brassy. And the people, the animals, the robots all wore clothes,

Well actually, only some animals did, I suppose.

Sir James had explained that the ones with clothes were refined