Sunday, March 28, 2021

Peeps (The Musical)

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Peeps (The Musical)



Chica Boom is all excited. She's just got her feathers dyed. 

Asked Jaye Duck how he liked them; said he did, but he lied. 

Chica was the consummate spring chicken, as crazy as a loon, 

a perfect match for her partner Boone, who'd be along soon. 


Boone was a rabbit, in this musical trio, with chick and duck. 

Easter was approaching, auditions announced, just their luck, 

a handful showed interest; for those who would come around, 

a bandstand was vacant, in a barn on the outskirts of town. 


First to audition was a trio of sheep, to blow mariachi horns;

Chica gave a sour smile, mocking like she was chewing thorns.

As the sheep three moved along, from the rafters came a bat, 

overshot runway (piano keys), Chica screamed! That was that. 


Next to approach, in full grunt, with an antique auto harp, 

a pig with pleasant disposition. Too bad his notes were sharp! 

What followed was not common, and quite difficult to explain.

Donkey arrived, misplaced his harmonica, much to his disdain. 


At this point, I suppose we should say, every vote was a no. 

Boone, Jaye, Chica saw to it this was no dog and pony show.

"Open to All" auditions were a CYA process, merely a ruse. 

When the process was put on proper, our band left no clues. 


Today was different, as just before proceedings adjourned, 

two more wannabes were coming down the road, we learned. 

Vincent Vann Goat, with an upright bass, gave Chica the eye.

His partner unpacked drums, politely asked, "May we try?" 


Bass and drum, jazz to blues, a frenzy ensued in the crowd.

This was more grass roots excitement than ought be allowed. 

The trio was about to expand, adding two to become a quintet. 

To turn either down now, would cause a commotion, no doubt. 


A meet and greet followed, where the goat gave revelation, 

that he was along for the ride. The drummer was the sensation. 

Vincent acknowledged, there were times, but they would pass, 

when he found his true calling, wallowing in the new grass. 


When a goat gets high, there is no keeping him in time or key. 

The straight and narrow was not a place Vincent cared to be. 

But his partner, the drummer, the quiet one of the pair, 

said he would really like to be included, if they didn't care. 


When asked, he said he was clean, no bad habits, nothing like 

Vincent. The goat butted him in jest, said, "Come on, Spike!" 

Spike reared up on his back legs, and spouted a hideous hiss! 

Vincent shook his head, and walked away, feigning a near miss. 


Now if any of the barnyard four-legs or fowl could attest, 

to seeing a hedge hog first hand, would surely have professed. 

But truth be told, seeing Spike's reaction, putting on a show, 

gave them appal, to the degree, no one dared respond, "No." 


The quartet had a week to pick and choose and learn a new set.

With so much practice, this garage band is as good as it will get. 

Chica Boom and Boone brought the vocals, from back to front. 

She pecked keys. Boone played all the bass line one could want.


Jaye, a guitar wizard from the Panhandle, who handled demand; 

when time to take a break, Jaye was there to "lend a hand." 

(That was an inside joke Jaye brought on his very first date.) 

As to how Spike would fit in, it would not require a long wait. 


The longer the practice session, the better Spike kept time. 

By Good Friday, the band had a perfect click, they were prime. 

No practice or work on Good Friday, a day set aside to reflect. 

Saturday, a brief unplugged run though, checking every aspect. 


The Easter Festival was due to start at three, don't be late, 

but this year, a hitch in the plans, weather did not cooperate.

High winds blew in from the West according to the weather vane. 

All agreed to flee to the storm cellar. Don't break the chain. 


Spike wandered, looking high and low for that ornery caprine. 

He found him on a hillside near a cave, welcome site and scene. 

Once inside, the high winds would pass soon with no ill effect. 

Spike's concern now toward his band, whom he'd shown neglect. 


The trio was with all the other festival goers, safe and sound. 

Almost all the inhabitants were accounted for, to be found, 

except for a secret set that lived in the big house on the hill,

where conditions were setting circumstances in line for a kill.


A high wind blew apart a weakened pane and out came the glass. 

A bird cage atop a china cabinet, lost shroud at breeze's pass. 

As the cover was lifted, two prize parakeets came into sight, 

of house cat, who leaped, climbed and clawed with all his might. 


The cat, to his ever lasting credit, made it to his destination, 

toppling the rickety cage, which rolled, creating a new situation, 

causing its door to open, allowing the birds to fly, though rusty. 

As they flew out the window, one said, "My, this wind is gusty." 


Having been caged for a while, and what with the humans hiding, 

these parakeets were famished, and the sight of a feast abiding,

below, was a draw above all others, "Look at those seed a'ground!" 

Down they flew to the fruit and grain and water they had found. 


At this stage, we can only surmise; there was no one to witness. 

How that single parakeet feather dislodged is anyone's guess. 

Word came down from Jackson, days later, the birds found shelter. 

High winds propelled them there, hurried, from the helter-skelter. 


Back to the "here and now" in the "there and then" Spike is spied. 

A crow flew over and false-claimed Spike ate a bird. The crow lied. 

With the cellar door open, this was heard, even as Spike picnicked. 

A closer examination found a feather in a bowl, and they panicked! 


With any investigation, as to what a hedgehog eats, it is not fowl. 

They eat worms, bugs, crawlers. There was no reason for the howl. 

Within minutes, all the locals wearing scowls, were hurling scorn. 

Chica looked Spike dead in the eyes, wishing he'd never been born. 


Easter Festival cancelled; there would be no feast or show to play.

Spike gathered his belongings, went to the cave, then on his way. 

He and Vincent did not stop until they passed three towns, or four.

Spike never realized what happened, or feel need to even the score. 


Back on the homestead, Chica Boom and Boone settled down forever. 

Duck Jaye heard about this thing called migration; sounded clever. 

He took to the skies, Mexico bound, soon replaced by a grey goose. 

That house cat is stuck on life number seven, never getting loose. 


It was a shame about the music show and how it never came about. 

It might have been the stuff of legend, how Spike came to help out.

Chick and Rabbit and Duck were quiet Easter Saturday and Sunday; 

just a raccoon sounding a stolen harmonica; my, how he could play!


Michael Todd (2021)



(Thanks to Caitlan, Lottie, Apryl & Alba Leigh for guidance and inspiration.)


58 comments:

  1. You had me at Peeps. :) This is quite the tale!

    Irene

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    1. Thank you for saying, Irene. Happy Easter Week in California.

      Oh, and... Nice FRISTING !!!

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  2. They should take this play on the road

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    1. Thanks, Clarice. We love a good barnyard tale, don't we?
      I appreciate you visiting today.

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  3. Vincent Vann Goat lol!

    I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was very whimsical and fun to read 💗

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    1. I definitely had help with that one, Dahlia. I benefitted greatly from a ghost editor... Glad you enjoyed. Thank you.

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  4. Who knew that a barnyard could have such an affair! This quite the tail er tale for an Easter celebration! Enjoyed this and I have missed reading your words! Thank you alerting me!

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    1. So much more could have gone right, Dave. Fate and Destiny dealt cruel hands, but everyone got away with the health, dignity, and reputations intact, so there is that. Nice to see you in the house!

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  5. What a fun ditty!!!! You have created some colorful barnyard characters here, a shame the show didn't come to fruition. (I figured out that my Safari browser was preventing me from commenting previously - I found my way in Chrome!) Great fun, especially Vincent Van Goat (love it)! <3

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    1. I am happy you made your way through the maze, Colleen. Hats off to Apryl for creating Vincent. She is a master writer and editor, with a world of experience in animal tales.

      P.S. ~ Sorry the house cat had to be the villain this time.

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  6. Just delightful, Micheal! Bravo! 'Chicka Boom'! Hahahaha. Cheers

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    1. Thank you, Don. Chick Boom was dubbed by Apryl, who really had an impact on our story... Thanks for visiting. Go True North!

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  7. Love this! it would be great if you read it.

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    1. Anna, I have every intention to try to read this on Speakeasy Cafe this Thursday evening, so we can share it before Easter Weekend... Thank you!

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  8. I always fancied myself a little duckie! This was quite the barnyard tale! I’ll see you when I get back from Mexico!

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    1. They will miss you around the barnyard. I heard that grey goose is a biter... Thanks for taking on a full role this time, Jaye!

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  9. Quite the adorable tale from beginning to end. Just precious, all the characters set to showcase their talents... until. Until next year, maybe? Will they make a comeback? Happy Easter, my storytelling friend.

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    1. Thank you for your generous overview, Debra. Happy Easter to you!

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  10. Myke, reading this delightful, whimsical, charming piece started off my day with smile after smile. Your poetic imagination and sweet sense of humor are limitless, I think. Thanks for guiding me here.

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    1. I am so very happy you enjoyed this tale, Eliza Anne. Thank you for your generous regards.

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  11. What a wonderful piece, Myke! 👏👏👏 Eliza said it best. There's a big smile on my face. 😀

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    1. Thank you, Debbie. I am thrilled you enjoyed this.

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  12. This should be published! An amazing adventurous tale for all ages!

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  13. A quality read and always entertaining.

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  14. Loved this little Spring Journey you took us on. Very lively and vivid. Great writing!

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    1. Thank you very much, Reba. I am happy you enjoyed this tale.

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  15. Adorable Easter Sunday jam tale! “Chica boom, chica boom, don’t you just love it!?”

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    1. I want to go on an Easter Egg hunt with you, in Los Angeles, Piper Ellie. Especially if there are prizes awarded.

      Thanks for visiting, and for putting that song in my head for the rest of the night. (I really do like that song!)

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  16. Thank you, Myke! Absolutely entertaining even though the show didn't take place. What fun it would have been!

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    1. I hate they did not play, too, Emy. I will always wonder what songs would have been on their play list.

      Thanks for visiting!

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  17. Quite a tale of tales you weave - well done.

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    1. Thank you very much, Barbara. You are always so encouraging.

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  18. Love it! The end especially made me laugh, though I did feel bad for Spike.

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    1. The end was my favorite part, Joleene. I love closure.

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  19. Alba Hernandez Abrego (aka Alba Leigh from the credits here) messaged me, to say, comments are acting up, and would I post this for her?

    "A very enjoyable and adorable writing, you’re definitely the ultimate storyteller and it’s great to see you wrote and posted with great energy. Wonderful."

    I appreciate the positive vibes, Alba Leigh, and am happy that the boonies were represented in this tale.

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  20. As always you're a treasure to appreciate Sir.

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    1. Thanks, Andrew. Great to see you here for this.

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  21. That's masterful. :) And thanks for the kind words. However good or bad our faucet, the tap water is too chlorinated to drink without being filtered. On that note, maybe you should get bottled water for your wife. ;) Your problem is unique, for sure. Happy Easter!

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    1. Thank you, Darla. I was thinking, maybe move to a warmer climate, to eliminate the need for a dripping faucet.

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  22. Well that was different. Kind of fits right along with the Ken Burns Jazz series I've been watching of late.

    Love Peeps. Tried the Hot Tamale and Root Beer flavors the other day and they were quite good.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Hello, Lee... Now you have me wanting to try new flavors. I wonder if there is a banana?

      Thanks for visiting the almost festival. Maybe next year there will be music.

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  23. Myke,

    Words woven creatively as usual, my friend. By the way, my adopted brother's nickname is Boone. :)

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    1. That is a great coincidence. Thank you for visiting, Cathy.

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  24. Deanna Poole Fowler asked me to put this message here, from her...

    "Oo you have weaved an interesting tale, birds flying away in the storm...a great idea, although I feel a little bad for spike. What a nice guy."

    I have to say, I appreciate Deanna pointing out what an amiable fellow Spike turned out to be.

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  25. I was blown away as I kept waited for the tune that never came.

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  26. What a lyrical and fanciful journey. Thanks for sharing!

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  27. Replies
    1. Thank you kindly, Jimmy Ray. I truly appreciate your visit.

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