Gentle readers do peruse
The many different views
Offered from the pews
Of our esteemed congregation
Of yaks, and hawks and fish
Of goats' milk in a dish
Or perhaps, if you wish
Wedding songs from foreign nations
Or, arctic boats with outboard motors!
I ask as the promoter:
Which will deceive more voters?
(The mate-swapping has panache.)
To every taste they cater
Hats off to their creators!
I'm proud to be curator
Of this latest hog we wash!
From the Himalayas to the seas
Our liars aim to please
So pick one at your ease
The truth will come out later
Is it "jaundice"? Don't be yellow
Choose one bravely, proudly bellow!
It may be authored by your fellow
Don't blame me, I'm just the waiter.
******************************************
Will the real YARAK please stand up?
a) Jaundice (from Arabic yarqaan)
b) Dried buffalo dung
c) A shaman in training. From the Tungus yoraq, son-in-law
d) Anglicized from the Bedouin "uareg"; desert terrain where the wind moves shallow dunes across rock
e) A cross between a Camel and a Yak, these herbivores are known for their ability to make sounds that can be understood by most birds
f) A simple yet strong traditional tent structure, made from horse skin, used as housing by the nomadic peoples of the Mongolian steppes
g) The hood of a waterproof insulated jacket
h) A tent made of tanned goat skins and dried dung used as shelter by many nomadic North African tribes
i) From Bhutani yarkh'u, a broad track or path, hewed into the rock, that skirts an almost vertical mountainside
j) The song sung by the groom at a traditional Turkish wedding. The first verse extols the beauty of the bride. The second and third verses are fierce demands for lifelong fidelity, and describe possible penalties of banishment or death for transgression.
k) Aleut kayak with a flat stern for fitting an outboard motor
l) Inuit term for the custom of loaning one's mate to a guest
m) A falconry term describing a hawk in prime condition for hunting
n) A rare Armenian kirtle. See Kimono: a rare Asian yarak.
o) A fish found in the Persian Gulf the flesh of which is popularly believed to have curative powers
p) Cultured goats' milk, consumed in remoter regions of the Himalayas
Last edited by Alex Williams; 12/21/05 05:52 PM.
