Gordon Lightfoot Takes on SmallvilleJul 14 '06 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line An epic ballad for an epic battle... Well, I'm still stuck on Smallville - and on Lex Luthor, what's more - but I had so much fun with the song parodies I wrote earlier this week that I decided to try a few more, eschewing my regular poetry for a while - though in truth, they're really not much different. It's just fun to see how close to a song I can get while still maintaining a distinct narrative. I must say I'm rather pleased with this effort, which took me several hours and earned me many a "Go to bed!" from my mom, who wants me up bright and early to help with the last-minute preparations for the international guest who will be arriving tomorrow (er, today). Forgive me, Mom, and never fear; I'll wake up just as early as you want me to. Just don't expect me to be intelligible... The Wreck of a Bald Anti-Hero The legend lives on from Metropolis on down To the little old town they call Smallville. Lex Luthor, it's told, was worth mountains of gold, But he hungered for truth somethin' awful. With a gorgeous castle and dozens of acres of land, You would reckon that Lex would be cozy. But he'd trade his wealth for a little more stealth, For above all else, that guy is nosy. He was in the dark about his good buddy Clark, But he slowly became more suspicious. Each time Clark acted strange, their relationship changed Until Lex's intentions grew vicious. Concluding their friendship, he had to pretend That their brotherhood meant very little. He wanted to fight, to square off against The enigma wrapped up in a riddle. Green Kryptonite carried a palpable threat To the man called "super" by masses. As soon as Lex knew, he concocted a few Nasty plans while he wooed luscious lasses. His dad was distant and his mother was missed, For she died when he was a teenager. He suffered abuse, but that's no excuse To become an unruly rampager. When slumber time came, the old dreams would begin, Bringing with them strange visions and phantoms. His father would hover - in loathing, not love; His revulsion made Lex fear the sandman. "I'm captain," he said, as he shivered in his bed, "Of my destiny. Nothing to fear." Oh, he should have abandoned his fanatical plans, That poor wreck of a bald anti-hero. Does anyone know where man's decency goes When the years turn a friend to a rival? How much must he pay at the end of the day For his desperate quest for survival? It might've been fate or it might've been choice - It might've been both things together - That caused him to turn. Is there still time yet to learn? Is he doomed to be evil forever? Superman soars; his purpose is clear In the midst of his unending zoomin'. His alien heart has been from the start Just as wholesome as though he were human. And on the Kent farm lives a country marm Whose soul is so perfectly saintly, She can still see some good in Lex where no one else could, Be it ever so terribly faintly. In the musty old barn where Clark used to reside With the folks he called father and mother, One long-gone day, he heard Lex earnestly say, "Clark, you're better than any blood brother." The legend lives on from Metropolis on down To the little old town they call Smallville. Lex Luthor, it is told, had a heart made of gold, But his hunger for truth made him awful...  |
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