You know your poem is too long
If you cannot recite it
Think how long it takes to read
When you start to write it it
Is your poem far too strong
Or week and namby pamby
It should leave you with a smile
Like happy, dancing Bambi.
-ende.-
copyright Angela Lansbury written Friday 31 May.
Photograph of poster from 1942 in public domain from on Bambi.
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r
Are you spewing words of war
Of sharing words of peace?
Would your demise be a surprise
A tragedy or release?
What did you learn from Tom and Jerry
When you were just a tot?
Did the story have a message
Which you, alas, forgot?
The happy, joyful words you say
Can brighten your hopeful today
And bring you joy tomorrow
To lighten all your sorrow
But it's tempting to forget
Your enemies, and yet, and yet
The danger is if you are blind
They creep up striking from behind
So if they're dead, just shake your head
And tut and tutu, the poor dead mutt
He came to a sticky end
And lost the chance to be my friend
But watch out for others just the same
With different or similar names
Now that you understand their games
You can decline to board their trains
When you are bored, feeling ignored
Just go where welcome is assured
But keep feet firmly on the ground
And whilst you're walking, look around
So, let your worries go away
But listen to what people say
Be sure you stay aware each day
Whether at work or just at play
Do not engage in jokes and pranks
Like pointing guns nor robbing banks
Don't pull hair, chairs, play dares, nor poke
So your life stays a happy joke.
-ends-.
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Siblings share good, or bad, mothers
Feel closer than friends and others
Sweet sisters can help kindly, too
Relationships depend on you
Some are active, busy, doers
Money-making entrepreneurs
Others struggle like you and me
Dreamers who work for charity
If yourbrother or sister's rich
Don't insult, call them a bitch
Instead, shower flattery, praise
Then they might help you out one day
No point in pushing them away
Asking for money when you pray
If there's a God I'm sure he'd say
Shmooze your banks and brothers today.
A simple rule for those who shirk
Or don't do profitable work
Is tell rich friends, I desire you
Tell rich siblings, I admire you.
-ends-.
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A sibling is a brother or sister.
A baby gives a hearty cry
To warn it's not prepared to die
No way will this thing go away
You'll be its slave both night and day
Whether you welcome boy or girl
You're trapped in a commercial whirl
And if your joy has turned to doubt
Ask yourself, how'd it come about
A boy and girl got together
Any seasonk, any weather
Decide that they'll stay together
Every season, every weather
A babe's a blessing you must keep
Although you lose a lot of sleep
Each day brings changes you will see
You'll get more sleep when it's past three
It starts to walk, it starts to talk
Falls on the floor, can open doors
Seven years of cute clothes heaven
Before teens, adults, cost you more
Now here's the most imprtant thing
You need a house more than a ring
A child's a blessing from above
Plants need water, for kids add love
Maybe the teenage years are tough
But you'll reach old age soon enough
Children warm you when you feel cold
They visit you 'though you look old
Depending what you said and did
Children like toys, you lift their lid
Treat well, tidy troubles away
They'll save you on a rainy day
Treat them with love, or treat with hate
For the results you have to wait
Don't be blind but make up your mind
Todays be kind, it's not too late.
Remember what ges up coes down
What goes around will cme around
Remember what you say and do
One day through them comes back to you.
-ends-.
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I promise ou I will not preach
But you'll fogrive me if I teach
So I won't waste our precious time
Deciding where to draw the line
We all have a family tree
So blame your ancestors, not me
If my hair is red or frizzy
I like sports, heights make me dizzy
You can't build egos on soft sand
Be positive and love both hands
I'm poor. but ancestors were kings
My parents were poor - I've got bling!
-ends-
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Image from freepik
Romania in Translation
Romania, Romania, Romania
When was I there? I don't care
I cleary remember
September, or November or December
In Romania they make wine
You willl have a great great time
If you have a young son or daughter
They can drink some pure chilled water
You can eat a chicken leg
Plenty more, no need to beg
Treat yourself to a great treat
Savour gravy and roast meat
Bead pies hides a chicken - whole
Ladle from the casserole
They invented the pastrami
Make sure there's some left for me
Add the dark red or white wine
You will have a great, great time
Other diners they will glance
When I leap to my feet to dance
We go twirling, whirling round
My feet hardly touch the ground
Yes. dark forests look so pretty
But I like the lively city
First eat, drink, then comes after
Lots of smiles and jokes and laughter
First you work, then you play
What a way to end the day
If you have long black hair
We believe you came from there
Years ago, who can say
Go back for a holiday
Buy all drinks when the day ends
Eveyone will be your friend
When you go to Bucharest
This is not a time for rest
Some went biking, we went hiking
Had no cares, hid from the bears
I'm glad we all survived
I am glad we're all alive
Land of Dracula, you know?
That was long, long, long agao
Visitors will glady pay
See the castle, sit in cafes
Champagne in breakfast buffet
Nothing will keep me away
In the evening, a great time
Drinking red Romanian wine
Romania, Romania, Romania
Romania, Romania, Romania.!
-ends-
Aqua Carpatica Romanian mineral water, still, from Ocado online 80 p English money. You can also buy the same brand of sparkling water in a can online.
https://www.softlaunchlondon.com/the-best-romanian-restaurants-in-london/
What is today's priority?
It's different for you and me
For some it's coffee; others tea
For some it's you; for some it's me
What do we have to do today?
For some work first, for others play
For some it's laugh, for some it's weep
For some it's exercise, or sleep
I'm waiting on the telephone
Wait for a train, or wait at home
I fly a plane, they fly a drone
Donate money, or seek a loan
For some it's sweep, or paint the house
Look for lost cats, or catch a mouse
Watch the waves, or sniff the flowers
Fill a diary, waste the hours
Each minute I can save or lose
I have a choice, but I must choose.
To help me sort the list I see
Prioritize a cup of tea.
What must I do next, should I cook?
A writer ought to write a book
Get dressed in my best, wash my hair
Or sit down on my writer's chair?
-ends-
Illustration
A Writer's Chair by Angela Lansbury. May 23rd Thursday
2024. Copyright.
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I changed ask for to seek, to save a syllable and keep the eight syllable system. Decorate the house became paint the house.
Angela drinking mango lassi. Photo by Trevor Sharot. Copyright.
I think I need another drink
The drink I need's not what you think
I need drinks of sparkling water
That's the drink which I need after
I see the room of jollity
Where most are drinking more than me
What kind of company they keep!
That much wine would put me to sleep!
I see groups, serious drinkers
Expert tasters, genned up thnkers
They swirl, take notes and then they spit
Don't look like they like it a bit
But even when I merely sip
Soon no armomas meet my nose
I must admit I wriggle toes\\
Spill water on my shrimking clothes
I see teens full of loud laughter,
Sharing some jokes, they shout and scream.
Someone says, dear, you've had enough
They're such a killjoy, so it seems
I think I know what I must do
Make a quick dash towards the loo
And then return to drink some more
Some more of what I liked before.
I like a drink full of bubbles
A sparkling wine to pop all troubles
Prosecco, cava or Champagne
Whatever it was, I'll have it again.
-ends-
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I'm hunting for my event
I wonder where the people went
I wonder where the login went
A brand new code has been sent
Am I needed half past ten
Opens at nine, leave coat and then
A breakfast for the lucky few
Who know what websites want you to do
The PR girl is looking fraught
With unclaimed freebies she has bought
She wonders where all the press went
They'vre hunting for her event.
A website is your buiness page
A website is your business stage
I wish I didn't have to say
Three passwords, then I've gone away
I might come back another day
When my frustration's gone away
You ask me, dear, where we all went
To some friendly login event.
I sometimes think I ought to shift
To yoga, would it make me whole?
Instead of locked out, and enter
I need to Alt and then control.
-ends-.\
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My Floret fly spray. Photo by Angela Lansbury.
As everybody educated knows
I don't like fleas, big bees, wasps nor mosquitos
I don't like to see bites on my fingers
Nor my face, legs, body, back or toes
I do not like to hear them flying past
A sudden silence fills my mind with dread
I don't like them flying, living, dying
I'm not even keen on them drop dead
I don't like them flying around my house
In the kitchen, shower, bath, near the bed
I don't like one anywhere near me here
I fondly wish them somewhere else instead
If they are gone tomorrow we'll forget
On bad days, things could be worse, they're a curse
Each job, ask or task could be much worse yet
By adding in bites from a mosquito.
Now I've sprayed away, is there any good
When you hear that whine, droning mosquito?
I've no measles chicken pox, polio
Shingles, meningitis, no tests - I know
No harm from friendly spiders, helpful bees
Good! Not meningitis nor impetigo
No rashes, scorpions nor a hornet
It's just the buzz - of losing a mosquito.
Windows are open, hope it won't take long
Before enemy number one has gone
Then I can sing a happy, cheerful song
About the right to right a dreadful wrong.
-ends-
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What am I angrily against?
I am anti all biting flies
I sat saerching the 'net for help
Wearing double heavy disguise
I didn't find any answers
But left with bites on my hands
And more on both sides of my legs
The one thing left, my useless eyes.
Whilst I'm a peace-livng person
Who wild-life lovers rely on
I'm still not terribly keen on
A flea, crocodile or lion
You may still be wondering why
I wnn't say I won't hurt a fly
If useful fly spray came my way
I'd certainly like to try one
I'm not into eating insects
Wish they felt the same about me
I don't want a fly in my soup
And I don't want to be its tea
Whatever bit me in the night
You must admit, with sympathy
In this war I am in the right
The fly, or flea, started this fight
So far this game's one up to them
I beg them, don't do it again
I've zinc ointment, but start to scratch
I must admit I've met my match
I itch. I'm cross. if I catch one
I swear it's biting days are done
With a spray, or iron, be gone
There's no more fun until - I've won.
-ends
Here's something new you need to know
In gardens funny flowers grow
Buttercups, dots, shiny yellow
Won't spoil green lawn, make a meadow
Dandlions are soup, not weeds
Every plant can fulfil needs
Giant sunflowers, from small seeds
Shoots grow fruit, apples will feed
Tiny daises, giant roses
Pick the flowers, present posies
You can pick them, have no fear
Cut them down, then more appear
\
In winter time they disappear
But they come back again next year.
Cheer the elderly or ill
Tall orchids on the windowsill
Some flowers exude sweet perfume
\Which wafts across to fill the room
Helps you relax and breathe in deep
Flowers grow while you're asleep
They seek the sunlight, lean drunk in rain
A second season, can't complain
Dead head those you think are dead
The bulbs next season flower again
Where do autumn flowers go?
In winter time they hide from snow
All wise five-year-olds soon know
Next spring more bright blooms will grow
Some are red and some are white
Some fold up to sleep at night
Ltft up joyfully in daylight
Promise all will be all right.
Flowers last a week or two
But when they fade, don't feel blue
It's not the fault of me and you
That is just what flowers do
Flowers rise and flowers fall
Climb keen to cover broken walls
Every colour gives a silent call
I love each one, I love them all.
-ends-
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Magnifying glass. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.
Why does a worker turn up late
Assisted by a toothless mate
The one with a hole in his sock
Yet solves the problems of the block?
The window's stuck, you see this catch
Oh, no - I left it on the latch
Now he and I can both explain
We do not need his help again
Just when you reach the doctor's door
Your pain is troubling you no more
How often troubles go away
No matter what the helpers say
Kind amaterurs are everywhere
But even when they simply stare
The help is floating in the air
It lands on you when help is there
'This is the port I thought I bought
From the estate of the late Mr Bates'
''Can you help me look for my book?
You must have moved it!' It's lost. He's cross.
'This cork is tough,' and I'm feeling rough
I'm running for the train but I'm late again
We've lost the keys and can't be pleased
I've lost the slide, looked far and wide
My mind is turning round and round
I sing it and search in Sound Hound
She's not on the list, how can she be missed?
This is the game, mis-spelled the name
Copied from an email, where it is short
Felt fraught, so glad that error's caught
The email's gone, what could go wrong?
I can't remember the name of the song
It's going to be one of those days
I sent Chinese condolences - for a birthday
The thing he'd lost was black, not white
We found it hiding in plain sight
I respond at once when he gives a shout
We were perplexed by the bottle topper
Try heat, or seal, to release the stopper
Now can you help me get the stuck cork out?
***
After former friend had too much to drink
I heard and I saw the way she swore
I think I heard this had happend before
Instead say 'sugar', or 'funny', make more
I need to keep mind in good health
You can often solve a problem yourself
This is the problem, we explain, again
The answers appear like sun after rain.
All day we're feeling sad and perplexed
We've solveed one problem - then up pops the next.
A verse's extra syllable - again
Simple, lengthen all lines from eight to ten.
-ends-
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Words should always reveal
But they sometimes conceal
Now I have forgootten
The meanig I'd hidden
Now I must convess that
I'm in such distress that
If you have clearly seen
what you think that I mean
There are messages you must not send
And loan words which you must not lend
Like in French saying Le Weekend
In case you offend all your friends
You know more than the poet
If that's so you should show it
By writing down new words
To show what you just heard
With some innuendo
To rise to crescendo
There are some things you should
Other which I don't want to know
Your problems with your mental health
I wish you'd keep them to yourself
And if you want to change your sex
And leave your poor parents perplexed
Or change your country or your faith
I'm glad that' I'm not in your place
Words keep changing and so we try
To make our elders wonderi why
The British gay, American guy
And God be with you's now goodbye
I used to worry about Bombay
It's now Mumbia, Beijing, Peking
Constaniple, Instnbul, I don't want to look a feel
Is using AI really cheating?
I still get cross about fewer and less
When foreign students make a mess
Don't call them foreign, or he or she
I wonder what the've calling me?
What can I send the birthday boy
To not give anger, only joy
Once pink for boys, but now it's blue
Not flip flops, thongs, nor brand name shoes
I won't send poems, only floers
But they bothered me for hours
Eigh's lucky, you must avoid four
Wait, even numbers, there's lots more
Some like even, others odd numbers
Like four letter words, make grammar blunders
Red means we're lovers, lllies for the dead
Was it something that I said?
Mustn't say you're thinner or fatter
Shrug it off, spelling doesn't matter
Take out commas, they confuse
Plurals have a lot to lose
There's Thai silk, and faux leather
Sometimes I wonder whether
My pre-loved, worn once clothes were ever loved
By triplets below or someone above
Don't leave yourself or your reader disayed
By word games which we all have played
Frankly, I've had enough trouble today
Reading the label on my marmalade.
-ends-
Someone above I originally meant one God, but the meaning could be you have inherited never worn clothes fro the clearance f the house of someone who died.
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I've just one word
Which I'll repeat
At home, in bed
And in the street
When I'm moody
Look black as coal
You make me whole
You lift my soul
Sometimes you ask
What's here for me?
If you feel sad
I'll set you free
But I am sure
That's you'll soon see
That I love you
And you love me
When I'm moody
And black as coal
You make me whole
You lift my soul
That's why you are
My better half
When I am cross
You make me laugh
You've just one word
Which you repeat
At home, in bed
And in the street.
What is that word
Like sun above
A simple word
That word is love.
-ends-
I watched the Eurovision contest. They brought back three members of once winners ABBA. THye have a one word name. Easy to type and say. Their hits were easy to sing along to and remember. One or two word ditles. Waterloo. Dancing Queen. Positive, triumphant messages.
How many readers have I got?
Less than fifty, that's not a lot
Oops, oh no, less should be fewer
I'm a re-reader, re-doer
Charlotte Bronte wrote just four books
She wan't known for her good looks
I've written more, how well I've done!
Though my best book counts buyers - none
Was it the book price or the size?
Was I too shy to publicize?
But I won't worry, nor be perplexed
When one book's done - on to the next!
Anne Frank's hidden diary, later unfurled
Now one of the best-sellers in the world
If you read this, what must I do?
Be proud of one reader, thank you.
-end-
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What have I done today?
I got up and washed - and dressed!
I have not done a lot
But I have done my best
What have I done today
I had a good night's rest
I got up in dalight
I took my pill, passed today's first test
-ends-
Inspired by Welsh-born poet Davis, who wrote
What is life if full of care
One has no time to stand and stare.
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Matching socks. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.
Each day the mystery unlocks
The secret revenge of the socks
Like truants playing hide and seek
I search and gloat, Found! made my week!
I once had an unmatched socks box
Hidden from husband, under locks
One found when I at last washed sheets
Perhaps kicked off from hot night feet
Folded up pairs made my shelves neat
A dating sock, would like to meet\\
One with a hole was used to dust
I'll darn that hole, looks new - I trust
Where were they lost? Where are they found?
I checked the floor, proudly lsoked round
Behind the basin, bedhead, floor
Behind the door,, the radiator!
Some fell behind a washing machine
Are socks victims, or are they mean?
Last night I found a pair - put back!
Daylight showed navy with black!
One discarded - it had a hole
Now I darn holes, to save their soul
Yes soles, some are designed with pads
Pretending they are shoes, quite mad
To balance out my lost sock counts
Which hop and leap in large amounts
Today I have some feel good news
I found a lost sock in my shoes
I celebrate this single match
Which helps clear up the lost sock patch
And I've made order in my mess
Whe one small joyful sock success
The question is, that pefect pair,
Is it something I dare to wear?
Should I save it for tomrrow
Warding off a Thursday sorrow?
Let tomorrow pay its own way
I'll say it once and have my say
I celebrate joyful today
I wear a matching pair, hurray!
By catching a pair in that box
A treasure hunt of lost-found socks.
To help you, too, face today's knocks
Good news, I've paired my pair of socks.
-ends-
How do you edit a poem? I go back and count syllables. Classic ballads alternate laaaaaaangths, such as eight and seven or seven then six syllables, or six and five or five and four and so on.
It's often easier to add, making all up to eight syllables if you have just one odd lineBut somtimes cutting is easy.
. For example, I changed I used to have wich is four syllables to I once had and it is back to three.
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Sleep, sleep, sleep, yes, I need deep sleep
I won't waste time on counting sheep
I wake up when the birds go tweet
I haven't slept a wink all week\
Imagine birds sleep in their next
no, hey will not let me rest
On greeting cards birds look so sweet
In real life small beaks
Until at last I drop in slumber
Would not wake to the loudest thunder
Daylight shoves my lids asunnder
I stare at the clock in wonder
What's the time, don't dare to peep
So long as I turn off the light
I might make it rhough the night
Exercise on an invisible bike
Imagine it's a tiring hike
Stick my toes up in the air
Upside down chair if you like
Biking on a trip to nowhere
Shut my eyes, hum a hymn
What I need is a deep sleep
Don't need an expensive gym to thin
Sleep is healthy, sleep is cheap
Whilst I'm lying in the bed
write a poem in my head
Songs are short, poems are long
More money per word from a song.
I haven' slept a wink all week
I dinot waste time counting sheep
Don't complain it's the same refraing
It's a chorus coming round again.
-ends-
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Do numbers like birthdays matter?
Yes, dear, you know, of course, they do
Being a two year old toddler
Is not like reaching ninety- two
My neighbour Alice is nearly ninety-five
I'm glad but shocked she's still alive
A happy soul, who knows no fear
She's outlived seven neighbours here
Ignoring newspapers and gloom
She travels, with eyes, round the room
Avoiding talk of bills and wills
No visitors, no sharing ills
But daughter in the USA
Watches her on Zoom every day
I have thought long and very hard
Should we send early birthday cards?
-ends-
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Every day I look out and I find
Evil outside, contrasts good in my mind
Sometimes I don't have lots of news to say
But I like to have my say anyway.
-ends-
Lookout and megaphone from Wiki.
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Up in blue sky or down in dark deep?
I don't go far, though I've seen the world
Guess where I'm hiding? Under sheets, curled
My eyes are there, resting under lids
My head, like a rock, holds the pillow
My legs, solid tree trunks, lift, shape sheets
Gentle lungs pump, like leaking bellows
My mind's busy sorting out the trash
Inventing movies with silly plots
You can see where I am, still in bed
Have I gone elsewhere? No I have not!
Although my two eyes aren't open wide
I''m gently breathing, pumping red blood
I promise you, there's action inside
Fighting the flu, doing unseen good.
When I wake up, I forget daft dreams
By nine I've had breakfast, smug - washed, dressed
Mind's clean, ready for sensible schemes
Refreshed by rest for doing my best
I was not away during the night
You could wake me up with noise or light
Alarmed or annoyed after that fright
Then happy, ready to greet sunlight.
In dreams, packed old nonsense, dried out tears
Fondly surveyed photos of past years
I've sorted recent and distant fears
Found stores of smiles, for you. darling dears.
-end-
Photos from Wikipedia article on sleep. Sleeping Girl, Domenico Fetti, c. 1615,
Sleeping Girl, Domenico Fetti, c. 1615
Hours of sleep recommended for each age group[91]
Age and condition Sleep needs Newborns (0–3 months)14 to 17 hours
Infants (4–11 months)12 to 15 hours
Toddlers (1–2 years)11 to 14 hours
Preschoolers (3–4 years)10 to 13 hours
School-age children (5–12 years) 9 to 11 hours
Teenagers (13–17 years)8 to 10 hours
Adults (18–64 years)7 to 9 hours
Older Adults (65 years and over)7 to 8 hours
In the poem 404 I considered changing one line to
I promise quiet action inside.
When I revise my poems's first draft, or re-read it for typos, sometimes I think of another alliteration to add.
Please bookmark poems you would like to re-read, and share links with your family and friends
The Italian Trade agency
Set up a central London show
To help its businesses to grow
Sell food and drink we ought to know
New or well-known in Italy
Looking for wider distribution
Wrote, 'writers,, taste a flight of wine
Register, sign up,' so we signed
Not for the public just the trade
Hoping useful contacts are made
Hoping that some entrepreurs are able
To supply supermarkets and hotel tables
I'm almost expert, proud to know
Asti, Prosecco, Lambrusco
Eat spagetti, canneloni
Pollo sorpreso - Chianti!
Yesterday's new Italian food
Still on my mind, I'm in the mood
To tell you what I found so good
I'm sure promoters think I should
Events get full, we've often heard
So keen to be the early birds
We got up early, all was fine
Traffic delays - we'd cut it fine
Keen to claim seats, we took the bait
We ran and rushed, our train was late
But luckily, in southern climes
Italians start 'Italian time'
The same is said of 'Polish time',
And 'Arab time', and 'Jewish time'
Common excuse, so never mind
When nearly late, that suits us fiue
-ends-
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