Hard Times For Rhymes. Comical poem 719 by Angela Lansbury.

 

Angela Lansbury with large pencil and notebook. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Some people give you a hard time

For using well-known, well used rhymes

I can't do new things all the time

Do they want words, cliches - or mime?

Others complain that you're too proud

You laugh too loud or shout too loud

Yes, I am proud and I'm unbowed

I refuse to be down and cowed

Let's celebrate phrases we know

First used by Shakespeare long ago

I'll give you yours, forgive me mine

Win guessing games with well-known rhymes.

-ends-

I think that was a record for the time of writing a poem. Twenty minutes for the poem. I thought of a subject and a title. Twenty minutes. Three verses. 12 lines. 12 rhymes. checked each line had eight syllables. Added the labels. Checked the number of the poem. Wrote this comment.

Another ten minutes for  -

Added the appeal. Turned on Italics. 

Found a photo - copied from another poem.

Added a reference to my books of poetry

such as Poetry Pets & Pests

Poetry Workbook

 and my latest book, Embarrassing Moments, which is on Amazon, at a bargain price of well under ten pounds

Please follow me and share links to your favourite poems.

Positive Thinking - poem 171

Where can we begin? Tell the sinners, no sin 

Call a dripping tap - a waterfall

Tell the fat ones, no lie, they're looking thin

Speak well of all, tell the small ones they're tall

Tell all the frowners how you love their smile

Note in September, swear you remember

You'll find they smile in a little while

Send named Christmas cards, early December

How does a photographer make guys smile?

Think of favourite food, I think of cake

Keep awards on your walls, photos in files

That's how I smile 'though I've  made a mistake

If you can't find a good words for the bad dead

The mourners a mixture of angry and glum

Praise loving, forgiving parents instead

Say, see silver linings in each act done

When you've done your best, but failed every test

When thoughts headed north - but the words headed south

When you tried to speak well, but only spoke ill

Mistaken, badly taken, foot in mouth

When you say sorry, they're not forgiving

They say, 'Sorry's too late, wrong words are gone,'

Don't give up, mate, your life's still worth living

They're still cross? Their loss - it's time to move on

Everyone fell when they were a child

Some got the blame when they were good

Most were or knew teens who went wild

Some, sometimes failed, or feared we would.

Find somebody new, who hasn't a clue

Pretend you are older, wiser and know

As for each fall, you've seen them all

Just listen, nod, eye roll, laugh, smile, and glow

Never complain and never explain

The folk in old folks homes don't know your name

Your old boss gets Alzheimer's, he'll soon forget

The world's full of youngsters you've not yet met

When you are old, darling, if truth be told

Shrug, forget bad things said, by friends long dead

Old enemies greet you like long lost friends

The few left - so glad to meet you again!.

-ends-

copyright Angela Lansbury 2023 March 27th

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Angela Lansbury's books and chapters in anthologies are on Amazon and Lulu.com

Look for Angela Lansbury poet, Angela Lansbury travel writer, and my photo. Books include Poetry Workbook. Improve your English. How to be the Best Man. Grief and Us.