TO MARKET, TO MARKET, IN A TONGGA

TO MARKET, TO MARKET, IN A TONGGA

To market, to market in an ass-drawn cart

An ass-drawn cart called tongga

I chose an ass to draw the cart

Though a horse might’ve been strongga

I was in a hurry, so I took the short route

The long route would’ve been longga

But the route I took was the route to Beirut

It turned out I was terribly wrongga!

I lost my way ‘cause I’d strayed a bit

I should’ve taken the road to Chittagongga

I thought to myself, this tongga isn’t fit

I should’ve travelled instead in a Jongga

I was turning around when I encountered

The tennis ace Miss Goolagongga

Twittering and hopping about like a bird

Wrapped in a colourful sarongga

I called out to her, craning my neck

“Hey Miss Goolagongga, where you goingga?”

She said “I lost my way returning from a trek

To the summit of Mount Kangchendzöngga

I hafta get back Down Under to Ozzie land

And back to the town of Wollongongga

Where I practice my top-spinning backhand

Hafta be home before the dinner gongga!”

I pointed South East and told her she hasta hurry

“Thataway, there, Missy, is where you belongga

Go quick, don’t tarry, but go without a worry”

She went, spring in step, bravely singin’ a songga!

© Shiva Kumar - 2019