Busy Dizzy Days comical poem 651 by Angela Lansbury

First I make a shopping list

Keen that nothing should be missed

On my way to do the shopping

In a hurry, can't be stopping

 First I pass the lush green grass

Pause. Put my nose near a red rose

Stop to take a photograph

Smile at new neighbours, wave, joke, laugh

Window shopping, what is new?

In the shops, read each label

Find a bargain, if I'm able

Patiently, join a long queue

Back at home, I'm a winner

Arrived just in time for dinner

But I'm asked, 'What went wrong?

Why did you take so long?'

Tramp Davies wrote, 'What is life if full of care

You have no time to stand and stare?'

That's the thought of shameless, aimless young

I'm old, less time, more to be done

Rush. Make sure each day's got lots of value in it

I do not want to waste a precious minute

Then when I stare, I sort useful thoughts

Of what I should do with bargains I've bought

Is there anything I might be needing?

Does the garden need seeds or weeding?

Do I need cover to protect my knees?

Should I plant herbs, which attract birds and bees?

Do I want to dig dirty potatoes?

Better stick to quick growing green and red tomatoes

Photograph, sunlight makes trees dappled -

'Let's go out and pick some ripe apples!'

Save leftover food for another day

Turn the excess apples into puree

Brief stop for snacking on what I like most

Cheese and butter melting on hot seed toast.

Cheese and toast with coffee. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

***

Write, then. go out to enjoy today, 

Because tomorrow it might rain

Make another short list, start again

I'm busy writing, happy and don't need to explain.

-ends-

I changed 

then at last join a long queue 

to 

Patiently join a long queue.

The first version explains why I am late in the next verse.

The second version contrasts my dawdling with my husband's impatience to start dinner.

The toast (with mushrooms) was, in fact, breakfast. My picture shows toast with cheese for elevenses.

Please share links to your favourite posts.

. But my husband says, don't keep changing it. The flow is better with the first version.

Please share links to your favourite poems.

A Mother's Farther Happy Thoughts Comic poem 201

 

 A newly-made widow, like Queen Victoria (12 syllables)

Can no longer enjoy a daily smile's euphoria  14

Can no longer feel the warmth of a passing hug 12

Nor supported by the erratic, so-called, constancy of love 16

When ogre, spectre Covid came sneaking along 12

It emptied every street, dispersing laughing throngs 12

We sat haunted, religiously, arguing from separate rooms 16

Near, though far, obsessed with loving our mutual pot plant blooms  15

We were imprisoned in the present 14

We travelled the world, sadly smiling on Zoom 11

But blocks of flats decided neighbours could still meet  12

And united the world with balconies of songs 12

If you are blessed to survive 7

You should be glad to be alive 8

When all the youngsters are again out having fun 12

You're wrinkled, old, bed-ridden, revered weekly as a wise one 15

Today when I am home alone 8

When half the world is half asleep 8

I look for a smart way 6

For love's illusions to keep 7

I'm way beyond young love's 6

Silly man-made illusion  7

And all that time-wasting 6

He loves me, loves me not, confusion 10

After all is said and done 7

My spouse is still the one 6

Who sends straightforward, sometimes angry, instructions 12

From miles away, I can shrug at any ructions 12

Yesterday my son came to visit 9

I am so pleased that he still cares 8 

For me, his wife and child, and ask if I've written a will 14

Hidden millions, and shares 6

After dinner, I bought, 'we three', like Macbeth's witches, went shopping 16 

My fingers sale-price almond croissant cropping 11

Strangers and shop assistants smile in the aisles, 11

I can cook a feast tomorrow from leftover crumbs of smiles 15

If for a moment no-one's beside me walking 12

They're obsessed with my cute grandchild, it's enough to be still talking 16

I can't be bothered arguing over shopping 12

I'm just glad my friendly credit card isn't credit stopping 15

Next day, I see a naughty fox left rubbish in the garden! 15

But I reverse my puzzled, pausing thoughts to pardon 13

To welcome proof something is alive and near 12

Just to be glad we living things are all still here 12

Last night my son supplied a farewell hug 10

At dawn, I hug, my warm, coffee mug 9

Address my plants, and laptops, no magic thoughts to miss 13

A stranger's poem blows a happy, hopping, hopeful kiss. 14

-ends-

Angela Lansbury 2023 Sunday 23rd July

My Diet to Save My Life by Angela Lansbury, comic poem 165

 For Carolyn’s Diet anthology

My Diet to Save My life

by Angela Lansbury

You are what you eat.

You are what you don’t eat.

Angela Lansbury

Poem

The Desperado Diet

By Angela Lansbury

When you find your buttons popping

You need large clothes with batwing sleeves

Clearly, it’s time to go shopping

For loads of shredded lettuce leaves

I used to dream of chocolate

Bread puddings and roast potatoes

With focus I can concentrate

On cucumber and tomatoes

We could have a lot of laughter

Full of fruit and drunk on water 

Look like my mother or daughter

Pictures show before and after.

-ends-

Photo of salad ordered at Gotti restaurant, Singapore. Photo y Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Biography of Angela Lansbury

Angela is a contributor to books compiled and edited by Carolyn Street

Authenticity and Us - Angela Lansbury’s chapter on Authentic Writing For Your Audience

Fear and Us - Angela Lansbury’s chapter on How To Unblock Writer’s Block

Grief and Us - Angela Lansbury’s chapter on Coping with Bereavement and Depression.

Angela has a blog called Dressofthedaywithaangela.blogspot.com which shows more than 500 outfits.

She has also written a book called How to Get Out of The Mess You’re In

Comic Poems And Songs Are Serious Work (Comic poem 124) by Angela Lansbury

 

I'm trying to do some serious work (10 syllables)

I'm writing a comic poem (8 syllables)

I need to put my talents to good use (10 syllables) 

And not be universe owing (8 syllables)

I promised I'd write a poem each day (10 syllables)

I admit it looks like lying (8 syllables)

Not want of pay made me give up (10)

But no readers. I stopped trying (6)

Compare a poem to a bank account (10)

One might be earning you nothing (8)

But one's potential is a huge amount (10)

Which one is it? I'm still guessing (8)

I could be filing tax, or cook dinner (10)

Cooking's tiring, tax makes me faint (8)

By not writing, I'm a fraud, a sinner (10)

Wasting time, watching drying paint (8)

What's a real job? A doctor or a nurse (10)

 Replies depend on who you ask (8)

What's hard work? Telling jokes? Driving a hearse? 910)

We learn skills, practise, do a task (8)

Today I planned shopping - I made a list (10)

My excuse was it was raining (8)

My train and song spotting skills were not missed (10)

I'm retired, no-one's complaining (8)

I'm asked by life coaches and speech makers (10)

Why are you wasting precious time? (8)

Who are givers, takers, or waste makers? (10)

Artists, where do you draw the line? (8)

Would God say, I gave you another day (10)

What did you do? Threw it away? (8)

Write of your homeland, if you're a native (10)

Write of travels, be creative (8)

Youngsters fail, pretend to be amateurs (10)

Time and doubts pass, then words don't hurt (8)

Authors are word traders, entrepreneurs (10)

Now I'm old, so I'm an expert (8)

I wrote, sang my song, for baby, Ava, (10)

She's wide eyed, pays with a big smile (8)

"Mama, dada! Grandma! Hello - bye-bye!" (10)

I starred, centre stage, life's worthwhile! (8)

-ends-

Written Wednesday evening 30th March 2022.

Revised Thursday morning 31st March 2022.

Copyright Anela Lansbury