The Pine Gnome

In the heart of the Barrens dwelt a little Pine Gnome -
he seldom strayed far from his toadstool home.
Tho' when duty called, this little Gnome rode
over woods trails, on his steed, Tippy Toad.
Now, gnomes are guardians of treasures on earth -
gold, silver, and diamonds, and gems of great worth.

Well, flora and fauna are Pine Barren's treasure.
To protect it, as such, was our little Gnome's pleasure.
Yes, our little Gnome had things to guard, like the rest.
He kept watch of eggs in endangered birds' nests,
and he decoyed intruders, so they wouldn't touch -
and carry off plantlife, wild orchids and such.

Then, one warm day in May, he awoke with Spring fever,
as he bathed in the stream where the water runs red.
He thought, "Why do I stay here and work like a beaver?"
Then, stretched on a moss carpet, he gazed overhead.
He thought about life - how sometimes it gets dull.
Then, he bolted upright, "Could that be a Sea Gull?"

"What's a Gull doing down here so far from the ocean?"
Then the Gnome started waving his arms in fast motion.
The Gull saw his signal, and circled around,
then swooped from the sky, and lit on the ground.
The Gnome said, "Mr. Gull, your life seems so free;
I'm considering locating down by the sea."

"On your return trip, can I hitch a ride?"
The Gull crouched down low and the Gnome climbed astride.
With a warning, "Hold on tight - it's quite a long drop,"
they took off, and the Gnome's tummy did a flip flop!
The Gull's wings flapped smoothly in warm zephyr breeze,
they flew over villages, housetops and trees.

And the Pine Gnome relaxed and enjoyed his first flight,
until the vast ocean appeared to his sight.
Mr. Gull then deposited him on a dune -
thinking, "I'll stay nearby and I'll check on him soon."
Tho' he said, "If you need help, just whistle for me,
and I'll be by your side before you can count three."

The Gnome looked around, then he sat on some rocks,
first, he'd better pull off his shoes and his socks.
The sand moved underfoot and he gave a quick grab.
"Hey, watch it, bub," scowled a grouchy Sand Crab.
"Can't we be friends? I'm new here," the Gnome said.
"Oh, okay, but for now put me back in my bed."

The ocean looked tempting - it beckoned him in,
but a challenging wave chased him back out again.
"Hey, this is great fun I could win every race."
But the tenth time he stumbled and fell on his face
laughing, contented to sprawl in the sand,
'til Miss Sand Piper jogged by and stepped on his hand.

The Gnome scrambled up and he shook a wee fist.
"Oh, excuse me for living," Miss Sand Piper hissed.
When the Sea Gull returned to the scene, he looked down
to observe his new friend build a little sand town.
Watched him run in wet sand to make footprints and then,
rush away when waves came to erase them again.

All afternoon, the Gnome played in the sun,
as the saying goes, "Time flies when you're having fun."
He thought to himself, "Life here sure is appealing."
Then, he heard an owl''s hoot and he got a strange feeling.
At his whistle the Sea Gull was back by his side.
"Anything wrong?", and the little Gnome cried.

"Mr. Gull, understand, I don't mean to offend,
but I guess I'm homesick for my old Pineland friends."
The Gull, tenderhearted and wise, coaxed a smile and said,
"For hundreds of years you have not shirked your duty.
Well, we all need a holiday once in a while,
it takes leaving home, sometimes, to realize its beauty."

The sun was just setting, as homeward they flew,
a most radiant sight, and the Gnome's face was, too.
That night as he slept by the song of tree frogs,
he dreamt of rare treasures that grew near his home.
Like sapphires in swamps, and rubies in bogs,
and you never could find a more blissful Pine Gnome.

-Lillian Arnold Lopez "Pineylore"

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