Food and Drink - what I think comic poem 402 by Angela Lansbury

A show which offers food and drink

Promises to be fun and good

You'll guess, like you, I'd not not say no

To fine food and free drink free flow

\

Favourite foods from Italy

Panettone, sure to please

Huge green olives, salami

First the chocolates, then the cheese

.....

Too soon, reluctantly, we go

Shared a hailed taxi from the show

For we'd more, serious, tasting to do

Valpolicella at London Cru

Sat there, I sampled several wines

Don't fall down on the floor, I pray

I sipped and spit in the spitoon

After, food, and sparkling rosé\

That day I'd sipped, spit, forty drinks

Smiled when they asked, "What do you think?'

The trouble was, my first thought,

Was what I need now's forty winks.

-ends-

Photo of London Vru, By Angela Lansbury.

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Am I alone? Comic poem 401

 Some people want a partner

Some people need a friend

A baby, or a cat, or dog

Fill days with waves from start to end

Am I alone when I'm at home?

No, I can play the radio

Listen to angry wartime talk

I'd rather go out for a walk

I could waste several precious hours

Talking to dumb trees and flowers

Watching other people's dogs

Leap about like frenzied frogs

On second thoughts I'll stay at home

Because mealtimes I'm not alone

I can hear fifty-year-old songs

While husband lists what I've done wrong

I could have a vaccination

Save myself and half the nation

Check a statement from the bank

See how interest rates rank

I've had a stretch and had a yawn

Checked how many more are born

Rehearsed what I'm going to say

Recalled delights of yesterday

I sat in buzzy restaurant crowd

Where other people laughed so loud

Sheltered from the cold and rain

Until wine tasters meet again

Heard one strident woman's voice

Tell joys and woes, I had no choice

Moved for a group's reservation

Friends flooded in from the station

Too much food and too much wine

But I had such a good time

Afterwards, had a long, good sleep

Refreshed, check who I must meet

Home and alone, out and aboout

Silent, clock ticks, people shout

Cars are humming, friends are coming

Ears like fridge hum, boiler drumming

Tap drips, stops like wary mouse

Zinging all around the house

Books to tidy, lots to do

I've washed dishes, how about you?

Fill the glass, mow the grass

Watch the children trotting past

Take a walk or sit and talk

Listen - you just have to ask!

Feed the birds with apple trees

Pretty flowers feed the bees

Read how fussy orchids are

Put some petrol in the car

I make the bed, dust the bedhead

Clear an abandoned spider's web

In my clean, cockroach-free home

Sometimes it's good to be alone!

Drink some water, think of laughter

Daughter-in-law, or daughter

Make sure every table's clear

Ready, welcome, phone friends, "Come here!"

-ends-

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Teeth, Teeth comic poem 400 by Angela Lansbury

Angela Lansbury. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

My teeth are what you see above

But teeth all have an underneath

Like icebergs, hidden, out of sight

Supporting, or destroying teeth

I hate to have a gaping hole

It makes a hole inside my soul

A nightmare, like a piece of coal

Waiting for fire, to give me grief

The dentist like a fearsome devil

With drills and bills, wholly evil

But I hope I can find a saint

To seal my teeth with sealant paint

To end my woes, in a short while

Either bring tears, or a big smile

And send me home with dancing shoes

Rest like mangy fox in calm snooze

Mangy fox snoozing on lawn in back garden, Hatch End, London, UK, April 2024. Photo by Angela Lansbury Copyright

Hygienists booked April til October

Can't even give me a look over

Fearing appointments will be missed

I settle for the waiting list

A new hygienist I could choose

To end my anxious eating blues

Like a glass of wine, beer or booze -

I hope my dentist gives good news.

-ends-

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my other blogs are

travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com

dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com

You can link to me on LinkedIn or Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest

Or talk to me at a Toastmasters International Club such as

Harrovians in London which is hybrid, online once a month, or

Singapore Online Dynamic Fridays, and LILT multilingual language club online on Sundays.

My books are on Lulu.com and Amazon.com I have ten books by mainstream publishers, such as Wedding Speeches & Toasts. My collections of poems with instructions on how you can write in similar styles include Writing Poetry For Fun and Poetry Workbook.

More recently I have self published Improve Your English with alliteration, assonance and rhyme. I have contributed poems and pieces on writing to Writing & Us, edited by Carolyn Street, which is on Amazon books.

How To Set Life In Order comic poem 399 by Angela Lansbury

 

Order in clear kitchen drawers. All in order. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

What have you done today?

Did you get enough rest?

Did you get up, clean teeth

Wash, get suitably dressed?

Did you eat your breakfast?

Clear old dishes away?

Up at five? Seven? Ten?

A good start to your day?

Is your desk clean and clear?

Have you planned your whole year

Have you done quite enough

To nod proudly, my dear?

Have you eaten five fruits

Ignored tempting toffee?

Marked no alcohol days

Counted cups of coffee?

Order in clear kitchen. Drawers. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Have you thrown out rubbish

Checked what says recycle?

Shared rides with passengers?

Tried to walk more? And cycle?

If you got up early

Confident and well dressed

Please call, encourage me

Help me sort out my mess.

Behind the kitchen door. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

-end-

PS

I hope you're feeling fine

Dine in sunshine like mine

You have spare time, so please be kind

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Birthday Numbers comic poem 398 by Angela Lansbury

Birthday present. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

 When all's said and done 

It isn't much fun

Being aged one

Nor a hundred and one

Can you remember when

You were just ten

Do you think about it

Just now and then?

However, there's plenty

To say about twenty

Twenty-one, life's ahead

Lots of bread, lots of bed

And thirty's not bad

There's more fun to be had

Baby, maybe, even forty

You can be quite naughty

I've seen some at fifty

Still agile and nifty

And if they're not rich

They're expertly thrifty

And as for sixty, and seventy,

I'm sorry to say

As strength fades away

Much to say, do and pray

And when you are eighty

It's your right to retire

But the tax man demands

Work, forms, 'til you expire

Please don't ask me my age

I reached secretive stage

When I don't tell my wage

I've said, done, enough, filling this page.

-ends-

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Magic Words, comic poem 397 tby Angela Lansbury

Red tulip, which I mis-labelled poppy, from a London garden. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright

I''m learning 24 languages, want to be a polyglot

Learned a lot, sounds impressive I know, 

I learned a hundred words each time

But forgot how to say goodbye and hello

If only a terrifying politician in a far off land

Would listen to modest me, and my plea

I would gladly write, then shake his hand

And exxplain how we could all be friendly 

Words, right words, causing action, are practical 

Words which create enthusiasm are magical

I need enough words to fill a blank page

But the first jangled, tangle fills me with rage

The trouble is counting syllables takes so much time

How much easier to be satsfied with rhyme

You need to pay attention to rhythm

Establish the pattern at the beginning

Words can start a war, words can be threats, 

Words can be ambiguous, words can place bets

Words can perfect, words can end and leave lasting peace

We are not there yet, but we've vain hope, started at least.

The world's big place, of pretty flowwers and tragic muddles

In the long run we make a cup of coffee and all decease

So I make a modest, happy magic puddle

In a confused plea for rhythm, rhyme and peace.

-ends-

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What Every Child Should Know, comic poem by Angela Lansbury 396

 

Kiddie travel toilet. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

What a three year old should know

If you feel the need to go

Find the toilet in a rush ...

knickers up, then you flush

What a ten year old should know

Do not touch another's things

Yes, go with the flow, not with

Another's pens, computers, rings

What's yours is yours, 

What's theirs is theirs

Don't play pranks 

Nor pull out chairs

Respect the flag of every nation

Check change when buying and selling

Learn correc pronunciation

Watch for typos and correct spelling

Don't hit others, don't hair pull

Don't push, don't make faces

Don't call names, act the fool

Act like adults, wear hats in all places

Be kind to the deaf and blind

Don't seek revenge, seek to be friends 

Say 'sorry', Shrug ,'I don't mind'

That's better for you both in the end

What's your aim, what's your mission

Don't wound nor end up wounded, 

Nor spend your years in prison

Stay grounded, by joy surrounded

In school you make friends for life

Guard school's and your own reputation

Find a business partner, wife

Be a credit to your nation.

Don't take candy from a stranger

Always be aware of danger

Don't pick up dead creatures, pet or kick strange dogs

Don't drop rocks, dive off cliffs, nor roll logs.

Don't drive cars when under age

Do not drive too far too fast

You're still at the learning stage

You have a life, make it last

Don't lure soldiers or police

Don't throw sticks, stones, bullets at them

Keep away, survive the day

Toys not guns. Please say amen.

Be proud of your uniform

Check which clothes should be worn

Check times and dates, have all things planned

Find out what's permitted, and what's banned

Note the time and plan your day

Eat and sleep at the right times

Before bed, put your toys away

Beknown for good deeds, not for crimes

Silly games can end in murder

Don't take risks, take the stairs

Life is hard, just try harder.

Stand on ladders not on chairs

Keep books on the shelves, 

Not on the floors

Make the bed early

Don't block the doors 

Everybody has a choice

You can be a saint or sinner

Be good, build, make the whole world proud

Then go safely home to dinner.

ends-

Dress, Dress, comic poem 395 by Angela Lasnbury

Delightful dress

Relieves distress

On my birthday

I looked my best

On other days

I sometimes don't dress

'til just before lunch

I shouldn't confess

Took an hour to prepare

More or less

Keep re-using this picture, 

I shall confess

I practise dressing

Every day

And learned to do it

Many ways

Dressed like a girl

Not like a boy

Not like a robot

But like a toy

Overdressed for work

Undressed for play

Dressed up for night

Dressed down for day

Dress to impress

Dress your best

Hurry up

You look a mess

Dress, fine dress

Toes up to chest

For east or west

Like mother bird in her nest

Dress, dress

I confess

I am half dressed

More or less

Dress foa party

A celebration

A religion

Or a nation

A policeman

Or a nurse

Bandages

Or something worse

Dress as a fairy

Or a witch

Or a dog

Or a bitch

Hire an outfit

Make your own

Split the seams

Lightly sewn

Wear a uniform

Attracting scorn

Attraction pride

Morning suit for a ride

Lots of pockets

Where I hide

Hankies and tampax

Deep inside

Crown it all

With a grand hat

Wear smart shoes

Left on the mat

In the drawers

In a box

Out of season

Winter socks

Clothes for a girl

Clothes for a boy

Dress as you like

More to enjoy.

-ends-

Written Thursday 4th April 2024. Revised Friday 5th 2024. Some people might like the short, snappy first draft of the poem of the day. 

The second version might improve the rhythm, or develop a philosophy, or link one verse with the next or amplify the theme or remove irrelevancies which were stuck in to make a rhyme, when a new, better idea occurs to me later.

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