Poetic License: ‘Jelly Ball Joys’
He’s not from Florida
He’s from Palestine,
He’s not just a boy,
He’s a grandson of mine.
Sometimes he’s funny
Sometimes he’s for real,
Sometime’s he’s naughty,
But he’s always Jaleel.
He’s not thin or fat,
He’s not short or tall,
But he can roll round his bed
Like a real Jelly Ball.
Back home there are horses,
Goats, a peacock and sheep,
For Jelly Ball to count
Before going to sleep.
He’s not very quiet,
He does like to scream,
Except when he’s waiting
For his share of ice cream,
Then he’s quiet like an angel,
A well-behaved boy,
Nanny Marge’s delight,
A Jelly Ball Joy.
He’s young but he’s strong
So I’m warning you,
Watch out for Jelly Ball
When he masters Kung Fu
And he gives you that look,
That Jelly Ball stare,
A look meant to chill,
A look meant to scare.
Still he’s more fun to play with
Than a room full of toys,
Papi Joe’s house is jumping
With Jelly Ball noise.
And when the neighbors wonder
What is that sound?
It’s Jelly Ball Jaleel
From Bethlehem town.
He’s not from Florida
He’s from Palestine,
He’s not just a boy,
He’s a grandson of mine.
For Jaleel with love
From Papi Joe