25% of this piece I cannot take any credit for. this rhyme-game was modeled on a conventional poem by Roann.
Pick-A-Path
Poem
(At
each choice pick one couplet or the other)
------------------------------------------------Stanza
1
I lay down on a sandy beach,
And lazy, closed my sleepy eyes; (Pick 1a or 1b)
1a. A thund’rous rumble broke my sleep
And storm clouds
muddled my surprise (Go to 2a.)
-or-
1b. With the wild
waves just out of reach,
Under the baby blue bright skies. (Go to 2b.)
------------------------------------------------Stanza
2
2a. Then ocean roiled and drenched the
sand
And rain-filled clouds threatened the same
(Pick 2c or 2d)
2c. I found a hut
that was at hand
Seeking to skip the
violent rain. (Go to 3i.)
-or-
2d. But with some
urge to escape land
I hid from the
rain in the surf’s mane. (Go to 3j.)
2b. A dolphin called out, smiled at me,
Beseeching me to come and play; (Pick 2e or 2f)
2e. I waved back
and swam out to sea,
On that glorious gold summer’s day. (Go to 3k.)
-or-
2f. Binoculars I
took to see
Sharks, not dolphins,
teeth in array. (Go to 3l.)
------------------------------------------------Stanza
3
3i. the hut was dark and strewn with weeds
Yet it had long served passersby (Pick 3g
or 3h)
3g. Though it
appeared to meet my needs
I quickly chose to
leave the sty (Go to 4g.)
-or-
3h. A step inside,
and my toe bleeds
Stung by a
jellyfish fling inside. (Go to 4h.)
3j. Under the waters, sky so wroth
Was pickled and gingerly mute (Pick 3c or 3d)
3c. The water’s
safety, warm and soft
Guarded me from
storms abuse. (Go to 4c.)
-or-
3d. Till thunder
pierced from high aloft
Shattering me down
to the root (Go to 4d.)
3k. We chased the waves, beneath the sun,
And searched deep for sunken treasure; (Pick 3a or 3b)
3a. We found a
jewel golden spun
We found pure fun and pleasure! (Go to 4a.)
-or-
3b. But ocean
games are not all fun
All face the end
of child’s leisure. (Go to 4b.)
3l. Furious teeth sped up my step
Fleeing from the empty beach (Pick 3e or 3f)
3e. I called a cab
to end my trip
The very first
payphone I reached (Go to 4e.)
-or-
3f. I heard the
screams from echoed depth
And saw blood on
the ocean’s crease. (Go to 4f.)
------------------------------------------------Stanza
4
4a. My soul rejoiced, joy brimmed my
heart,
And then I woke up with a start...
4b. My soul rejoiced, joy brimmed my heart
Despite watching the waves depart.
4c. Mother Ocean serves her children best
When they reside in her den.
4d. Half dead, my mind was vicious smoke
Then with a startle – I awoke!
4e. Dolphins can be a lot of fun
But when you see the shark -- its done!
4f. Not one word – believed the police
They claim three murders – first degrees!
4g. the sky cleared up, the sun returned
And fear-clad memories were spurned.
4h. I thought my time would end too soon
Help brought ammonia for my wound.
The original from Answers
