BEASTLY TALES

THE FIRING SQUAD PART 3

In previous episodes we saw El Presidente pursue,
Many things that a President shouldn’t do.
He weathered a Coup that threw him out.
And another that removed any doubt,
That he was back in power again.
Huffing and Puffing like an old steam train.
Yes, puffing on his Huge El Grande Cuban cigar.
Emitting fumes like the exhaust of a car.
And so, in Costa Lotte, the country he ruled.
He continued to dictate to, while political foment fuelled.

Firing squads in the outside quad,
Continued all day, on El Presidente’s nod,
Political opponents bit the dust,
But El Presidente thought it all most just
That those who would usurp his power,
Should be shot, within the hour!
The Presiding Officer was a bit of a pest,
Often insisting that he should rest.

And so life (and death) continued right on.
Until about a month, or so, had gone,
When, on a cloudy and stormy day,
El Presidente saw his guards had all run away.
He looked out his window over the quad,
No Presiding Officer and Firing Squad!
Such an ominous sign did alarm him.
Something was amiss, not proper and prim.
He heard protesters, a loud racket, with Boo!
“Oh, goodness me, not another Coup!”

He heard jack boots marching up the stairs,
The Presiding Officer, and Firing Squad, in pairs.
“We have a warrant, for your arrest!”
“You have been found guilty, though unconfessed.”
“You are to be summarily shot,”
“Whether you do like it or not!”
“As you know, you may have a last request,”
“We will wait, while you get dressed.”

Down in the quad, next to the post,
“Tell us your last request, what you want most.”
“I am a most important gent,”
“Being the country's ruler, President.”
“It is customary to have a last smoke,”
“And so I will, this is not a joke.”
“Cuban cigars, they are the best,”
“You can forget about all the rest.”
“And because I am the most important person.”
“I insist on the largest cigar version.”
“El Humungus” is the type name,”
“And I must smoke it all, just the same.”
The Presiding Officer spluttered in alarm,
“So much smoking will do you much harm!”
“Nicotine poisoning. Yes, that I have said.”
“It’s so much safer to be poisoned by lead!”