Three Poetic Tales
As Told by Mister Persey the Scribbling Pooch
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
"He’s like a-- brother, like a-- mate! And then, all serious anew, Watched them depart with teary eyes,
"We’re one until the end!" --
"Allright, allright!" – the Agent screamed, --
"I’ll take you both there!" --
Just for the moment, it seemed,
Frog jumped into the air,
He took Chair’s hand and said:
"I shall devoutly follow you,
"Now let us move ahead!"
The three of them said their good-byes.
The Doc and Master Witch
As if foreseeing a glitch--
It was alive, the streets were teeming
With crowds of strangest creatures, streaming
In search of venture and delight:
The beasts of forest, swamps, and meadows –
Long-legged Deer, Boars and Frogs,
Slow Snails, lithe Lizards, dodgy Dogs
Moved to and fro through lights and shadows;
Young Men in suits and shiny shoes;
Young Ladies wrapped in pretty dresses,
With hair smooth or hung in tresses;
Parched Country Fellows humming blues;
Old Gentlemen with canes and pipes,
Distinguished-looking beards and whiskers;
Full-bodied Matrons – Mothers, Wives –
Exchanging news in quiet whispers;
Engaged in fighting, breaking toys,
Cavorting, yelling, crying, weeping,
And tiny babies quietly sleeping
In careful Mothers’ tender arms
Like little calves on peaceful farms--
Big Agent, Frog, and Dancing Chair
Made their way proceeding down
To Mistress-of-the-Ballet’s lair.
The Town Theatre, tall, imposing
Sky-kissing building stood, discreet,
Sunlight from lowly neighbors closing,
Amidst a quiet, broad street.
"This is the Castle," – the Agent uttered, --
"Where Lady Mistress firmly reins." --
"It’s rather-- nice," – the Chair muttered,
Blood slowly curdling in her veins.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
The book comprises three tales written in "classical" verse (i.e., strict rhythms and rhyme.) Although in the form of fairy tales and fables, they deal with important social and historic issues. "A Tale of Dancing Chair" decries racial discrimination and expounds the idea that, regardless of outside help, success comes to those who don’t shy away from hard work, are willing and able to use creative potential to the fullest, and stand up to bigotry, injustice, and unfair judgement. "A Tale of Captive Puffins . . ." reflects upon events in the history of Russian/Soviet Jewry in the twentieth Century. To recognize historic prototypes of the fable’s characters, one should read up on history of Tsarist Russia and Soviet Union, Weimar and Nazi Germany. However, it is not a prerequisite: the Tale is intended to trigger reader’s interest in those chapters of history. "A Tale of Boy Nightingale . . . " is intended to make dents in prejudices against unconventional" (gay and lesbian) families. It proclaims love, respect, and loyalty as traits identifying and holding together families, asserts that friendship between children from different families is greatest hope and strongest weapon in the struggle against prejudices still prevalent in society.
About the Author
Yakov M. Zilberberg is a retired engineering professor. Born October 3, 1934, in Odessa (Ukraine), came to the U.S.A. in January 1977. He has been writing in his native Russian since high school. He started writing in English in 1977. As researcher and professor, he published over forty papers in both languages. In 1987, completed his first English literary project, a play called Trivial Ordeals. His play, The Tarnished File, was produced in 1988 by the Theatre-in-Progress of Boston, Massachusetts. His poems are published in poetry anthologies. He participates in poetry slams at the public library of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, where he has resided with wife Faina since 1994. He has written seven plays; some under consideration by professional theatres. Now retired, Zilberber dedicates his time to writing and two grandchildren – Noah and Sophie.