Application to Risley

A Poem in Three Parts

Part I

(What do you hope to gain as a member of Risley?)

As I sit and type I ponder,

Why it is my mind does wander

(There are things of which I'm fonder)

When I'm writing out a poem.

It's like somebody's in my brain

Who's devilishly opened up the drain

My thoughts are spilled -- I search, I strain

For why Risley should be my home.

Now, with writing I'm not new

Although my poems number few.

Maybe with Risley Review

My writing might get sweeter.

Or I could also work on prose

Or any other style I chose.

Improve my poetry, I suppose.

(I really need to work on meter!)

With paints I've dabbled once before.

Stained glass I've done a few times more.

Pottery's a dirty chore.

All three I could improve in.

And then there is the SCA

Who has great fun on each Sunday.

Perhaps I'll too join the melee

If Risley lets me move in.

Now, to be trite, it would be "cool"

To have some fun while I'm in school

And make new friends, (I might do Pool

Though dryer I prefer to wetter.)

Though my writing skills would glow,

My artwork go from laid to beau.

These things, in turn, would help me grow

And come to know me better.

Part II

(What talents/skills do you have and what activities have you participated in that will enhance your contributions to Risley?)

While bored in first grade it seems that my folks

Urged me to create a short story

"Oh, be a Young Author," thus went their coax

"And also with writing, what's more we

Would like you to draw some pictures that go

With your short fairy tale 'bout the prince."

And having said that they then had me show

My work off at a Young Authors' Conference.

Since that point in time, needless to say

I've discovered greater motivation

For writing, which I continue today

With more tales of my own creation.

I've written out numerous works while at school

Which are published in various journals

On quite a few topics: Republican rule

Or the stench of the bathrooms and urinals.

Aside from my writing, there's one other joy

That surely deserves a quick inference

From my youth, I've been gifted -- a talented boy

Playing quite a few musical instruments

While only a child I would spend all day long

Watching musicals and by the age of three

Had memorized a famous Penzance song

(The next poem you read is its parody).

By the time I was eight, I couldn't let set

Merely using for music my mouth and voice

So I've picked up piano, accordion, trumpet,

Guitar and bass all on my own choice.

And lest my art should be forgotten

At painting I have made a pass

With pottery I am not rotten

But I've found my niche with stained glass

Above all, however, the one single trait

Aside from my interest in arts

Is that I'm a nice person (one you won't hate)

Making "sum" greater than "parts."

Part III

(optional sing-along)

With apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan

(What activities would you be interested in as a participant in house activities?)

I am the very model of a Modern Risley Applicant

I hope to live in Risley with the folks of great artistic bent

From living in Tacoma sunshine has become a mythica

So I should have no problem with the weather up in Ithaca

I love anachronism both intentional and by mistake

On Sundays I'll fight boldly even if my sword's a garden rake

If entertainment's lacking and I find that I have time to blow

I'll spend it watching screenings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show

He'll spend it watching screenings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show

He'll spend it watching screenings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show

He'll spend it watching screenings of the Rocky Horror Picture Picture Show

I also know what's meant by terms like Risleyphobe and Risleyphite

The latter which I pray I will be (every day and every night)

In short, in matters serious or totally irreverent

I am the very model of a Modern Risley Applicant

In short, in matters serious or totally irreverent

He is the very model of a Modern Risley Applicant

My mother is quite wary of my rooming in Bohemia

But I've assured her Risley is the height of academia

She'll want me to stay in my room to call if I am missin' her

But I'll be waiting by the Bat-Phone to shout "Yes, Commissioner?"

The studios for art will be my havens for between each class

Photography and metal, painting, pottery, wood and stained glass

And if the weather's nice enough I'll try to be out every night

To join in Pool and then become a new AmphibiRisleyite

To join in Pool and then become a new AmphibiRisleyite

To join in Pool and then become a new AmphibiRisleyite

To join in Pool and then become a new AmphibiRisleyRisleyite

I'll wisely use the practice rooms and all that they are offering

If I encounter mental blocks, my own head I'll be boffering

In short, in things which are perverse and sometimes even decadent

I am the very model of a Modern Risley Applicant

In short, in things which are perverse and sometimes even decadent

He is the very model of a Modern Risley Applicant

I'll frequent Risley's theatre to experience the latest shows

I'll always remain riveted, you'll never catch me in a doze

To make up for the times I've spent while playing trumpet in the "pit"

I hope to try my hand at drama, be it in a play or skit

I think it would be fun to be a part of some dramatic troupes

That's not to say I've given up the music played in larger groups

And hopefully I'll be one day, by blowing jugs without a flaw,

A member of the Prudence Risley Traveling Moonshine Orchestra

A member of the Prudence Risley Traveling Moonshine Orchestra

A member of the Prudence Risley Traveling Moonshine Orchestra

A member of the Prudence Risley Traveling Moonshine Orchesorchestra

And if my writing's good enough I think that I'll make my debut

By writing poems and articles to publish in Risley Review

In short, in matters of the arts, from Pinafore to Cats and Rent

I am the very model of a Modern Risley Applicant

In short, in matters of the arts, from Pinafore to Cats and Rent

He is the very model of a Modern Risley Applicant