To Catch a Kiss

In the lustrous land of Katchekiss,

A festival was held.

Great tents stretched far as one could see

Where men their wares would sell.

This was the famous Blowkiss Fair,

Held by the king himself.

Outside the palace it took place,

Supported by his wealth.

One purpose did the festival have:

To find a noble man

To wed the princess beautiful,

From any in the land.

The way in which they chose the groom

Was odd and quite unique:

The men would gather in a group.

If marriage did they seek;

The princess then would blow a kiss

Into the crowd of men

Who then would strive to catch the kiss—

The one who did would win.

Now two men wished to catch that kiss

More than any other:

Sir Mize was one, just wanting power;

Gen Uin truly loved her.

The princess loved the gentle Gen

But hated mean Sir Mize.

So Gen and she soon hatched a plan

So Gen would win the prize.

He’d force his way up to the front

When the crowd formed round the girl.

Then she had only aim for him

And straight her kisses hurl.

The day soon came when test they must

Her aim, and too, his catch.

But there were a thousand other men

Who could their victory snatch.

A fog had settled on the field

Where the game was to take place

The men were packed and anxious stood

As one could read on every face.

By chance (or some mean cunning perhaps)

Sir Mize stood next to Gen.

Both stared intently at the girl

Determined soon to win.

She breathed a sigh and looked at Gen,

Then blew with all her might;

But lo! Sir Mize pushed Gen aside,

Much to the princess’ fright.

Mize caught the kiss with just his mouth

(though hands are often used)

But oh! such force she’d given it,

As she was so enthused,

It lodged inside Sir Mize's throat!

He gasped in search of breath.

But someone near came to his aid

And saved him from sure death.

With arms beneath Sir Mize’s ribs,

He freed that kiss so stuck;

And as Gen stood from being pushed

He had a stroke of luck:

The kiss dislodged from Mize’s throat

Came flying straight at him!

His hand was swift to catch that thing

So craved by all the men.

He raised it then with gentle care

And placed it on his lips.

He thought he must be dreaming to

Have chanced to catch that kiss.

As was the custom in that land

The two were married fast.

They lived quite long, and just as long

Their love and joy did last.

The moral of this story, then,

Is chew up every bite—

You never know what you might miss

When things don’t go down right.