As If It Were

Poems

Fred Chappell

• Publisher: LSU Press
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9780807169612
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Poetry
• Index: Literature

Inspired by ancient, modern, and contemporary writings, Fred Chappell's sprightly new collection of verse, As If It Were, presents tales, anecdotes, pointed stories, and aphorisms to spark the conscience of readers young and old. Playful and even zany, the humor in these poems pulls readers into a world filled with noble lions, crafty foxes, predacious wolves, longsuffering asses, and fashionable peacocks. Chappell illustrates how the fable offers a timeless form of wisdom, surprising us with revelations that challenge what we think we already know, along with fresh observations of daily experiences. With its informal, even nonchalant tone of address and lush, polished language, As If It Were endows homespun materials with alchemical insights.

Social Function

Tact Intact

—BABRIUS

A Crab suggested that he mediate

When Whales and Dolphins threatened mutual war.

“You must not let it happen as before;

War is not graven by the hand of Fate.”

“Your busybody effort lacks effect,”

Said Dolphins. “Where is your authority?

You do not brave the turbulent ocean sea,

So you are no one whom we should respect.”

Likewise the Whales: “Oh, Insignificant

Crustacean, why do you insert your presence

Between us and the Dolphins’ foul malfeasance?

We might as well take counsel from an Ant.”

“Why spurn my gift for mild diplomacy?

Already I have brought you to agree.”

Fox and Crab

—AESOP

A Crab decided to desert his beach.

“In this burning stretch of barren hell,

Nothing present but sand and shell,

Every foodstuff is beyond my reach.”

A green field lay just past his dune,

So he sidewised there, hoping to dine

On snails and crickets served with wine

Each day of the week precisely at noon.

But sharp-eyed hunger is ever widespread.

Fox spotted Crab in the velvety clover.

“Crustacean,” he said, “your short life is over.

I shall eat you at once and be fashionably fed.”

“I know I must submit to fate,

Yet shall declare the wisdom I got:

Happy we are when content with our lot.”

“Now you are wise, but wise too late.”

The Wolf and the Lamb

—LA FONTAINE, I, 10

“Stop fouling the water I must drink,”

Said Wolf. “Whatever made you think

That I’d be willing to forgive

Such injury and let you live

To trouble me another ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Fable
• Social Class
• Social Function
• Psychology
• Philosophy
• Folktale
• Fabulists
• Fox
• Parable
• Preambles/Postambles