The Charge of the Tired Vacationer

The Charge of the Tired Vacationer
with apologies to Lord Tennyson.

Half a block, half a block,
Half a block onward,
All in the valley of Disney
Walked the six hundred dollars.
‘Forward to Pooh, we say!
Pass the cars and cups we said.!’
into the valley of Disney
Walked the six hundred.

‘Forward the six hundred!’
Was there a mortal dismayed?
Not though’ the foot did swell,
Or some blister raised.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to walk and die:
Into the valley of Disney
Strolled the six hundred.

Strollers to the right of them,
Wheelchairs to the left of them,
Tourists in front of them,
Jostled and impeded,
Assaulted by sun and sound,
Boldly they strolled and well,
Into the jaws of merchanting,
Into theme park Hell
Rode the six hundred.

Flash Passed their status be,
Scanned their credit cards in air,
Exchanging with the merchants there,
Charging up an army, while
All the world wondered,
Plunged into the faux-smoke.
Right through the queue they broke,
Mickey and Donald
Reeled from their card swipes.
Debited and defaulted,
then they strolled back, but not
Not the Six hundred.

Stores to the right of them,
Peddlers to the left of them,
Restaurants behind of them,
Bassed and trebled,
Assaulted by sound and smell,
While cash and card fell,
They that had saved so well,
Came through the Jaws of Disney,
Back from theme park Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of the six hundred.

When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Vacationer,
Noble six hundred!