Lawrence Hall Mhall46184@aol.com Dispatches for the Colonial Office
The Toenail Clippers of Damocles
He who would sit upon a throne of power Reigning his people from the sovereign’s seat Let him not neglect in a careless hour To practice good hygiene upon his royal feet
For suspended above him by a horse’s hair CLIPPERS, which through and under his toenails pass Thus beneath that weapon hov’ring in the air He is cautioned not to be a horse’s (posterior)
And so reposing upon his royal couch Let not the king be heard to whimper “OUCH!”
Several delightful poets on HP have mentioned Damocles recently, so I felt compelled to add a trifle to our shared culture. THE TOENAIL CLIPPERS OF DAMOCLES will, I'm sure, eventually be featured in literary studies at all levels, and DAMOCLES' TOENAIL CLIPPERS DAY will be observed annually in perpetuity.