(A Country Child’s Cautionary Rhyme)
Down by the barn where the tall grass grows,
And the cows in the pasture twitch their nose,
The sky turns still, the wind drops low—
That’s when the flying jellyfish show.
They float like lace with a hum and a hiss,
No eyes to see, no mouths to kiss.
But they’ll sting your toes and tangle your hair
If you wander off and they find you there.
Don’t chase the dog or climb the fence,
Don’t make no noise, don’t take no chance.
And when you hear that old tractor start—
Run back quick with all your heart!
Stay near the porch, don’t you roam,
And them floatin’ things will leave you alone.
But if you sass and stomp around…
They’ll lift you straight up off the ground.
