A Frayed Knot
by Jan Napier
 

Magic carpets are all very well but what the legends do not tell

is of infringements given people should a tassel strike a steeple

or how such rugs try to annoy by using every nasty ploy.

None of the Persians fly quite flat but buck and swerve like a fruit bat.

There's the smell which carpets get once rained upon and squelchy wet.

There are no hand holds for the rider better grips on a hang glider.

Where are the marks which indicate the vehicle's aggregate tare weight?

Damsels rescued by great heroes dislike heights which end in zeroes.

Lowly trainees may only travel slowly lest their mats unravel.

Why should a sultan's silken steed have the better turn of speed?

Do the servants beat it daily deep within the castle bailey?

A Turkish of fine warp and weft is a candidate for theft

with more knots to every square inch it's what a felon longs to pinch.

The pilot has no breezeproof bubble to keep squalls from causing trouble.

Passengers all screech and squeal each time their aircrafts flap or heel.

Then of course there is the glitch that aggrevates each djinn and witch.

'Up' and 'Down' the sole commands your transport system understands

means that you must know the way to make contrary Qums obey.

Mouse and moth both climb on board when rug is rolled and neatly stored.

ordright Editorial