The Yarnball

When I was but a little lad,
A studyin' in school,
I learned ‘bout math and languages
And of the golden rule.

There was one thing they taught me though,
That's caused a lot of strife.
And though I've searched solutions,
It has plagued me all my life.

The scientists of times long past
Once made some firm resolves:
"Our planet flies through outer space
And ‘round the sun revolves."

Not only this, these fellows claimed,
(Now listen to this riddle),
But as it makes this journey, it
Spins around its middle."

Now for a child young as I,
This concept was quite new
And so I thought about it and
I'll share these thoughts with you.

I pictured one large ball of yarn
And on the top stood I.
And then this ball of yarn, you see,
Was hurled up in the sky.

Then someone grabbed the end of it so
As my yarn ball traveled
It spun and jerked and dove ...
Until it came unraveled.

Imagine with me if you will
How hard it is to keep
Your body stationary
With this madness 'neath your feet.

Then if you think about it
(And I really think you should)
Our earth's just like a yarn ball, and
It's spinning pretty good.

Now some folks have a handle
And on to it they hold.
They never sail the seven seas
Or leave in search of gold.

They say it's due to gravity -
I really can't believe -
For when I loosen up my grip
From where I've been I leave.

I have no ties that bind me
Or roots to hold me down
And so I slip and slide you see,
Around from town to town.

It's quite a large sized yarnball though,
And fortunate for me,
It's got a lot of crevices
I'd really like to see.

I know that of this journey
One day I'll surely tire
And to keep a roof above my head
Is to what I will aspire.

At times I wish that I were still
A little lad in school
And didn't know ‘bout algebra
Or of King Henry's rule,

But I'm o'erjoyed that I was there
The day they taught the scheme
Of planetary orbits
And expanded on the theme.

For although I wish they'd change it
And allow the world to stop.
Or at least to slow it down a bit
And let me climb on top,

It's nice I understand it
And know the foe I fight.
So one day I might discover
A solution to my plight.