Tell Me Your Troubles Version 1

Do tell me all of your troubles
Deaths and divorces, don't ask mine
'cos I'll tell then regret it
I say too much, all the time

I'll tell the stranger on the train
Someone I'll never see again
So if they think I'm mad or bad
They won't say so and make me sad

I'll offload sadness and sorrow
To strangers who are gone tomorrow
Who won't still be there to remind me
So I can put it all behind me

But tell me all your troubles
So I can sympathise
I won't pretend I'm a success
No need to tell you polite lies

I won't tell you all my troubles
Revive what I'd rather forget
I don't dare tell uou the whole truth
Sometimes it's better not

Books talk about self-doubt
And the imposture syndrome
Ive come here for a holiday
To escape my problems at home

But I watch the woman confessing all
On stage, in poems, I sympathise
I want to tell you my truth and my lies
And share all with your smiling eyes.
-ends-
Written at Swanwick Writers' Summer School
Angela Lansbury copyright Aug Sunday 25 2019

Tell Me All Your Troubles version 2

Do tell me all of your troubles
Deaths and divorces, don't ask mine
'cos I'll tell then regret it
I say too much, all the time

I'll tell the stranger on the train
Someone I'll never see again
So if they think I'm mad or bad
They won't say so and make me sad

I'll offload sadness and sorrow
To strangers who are gone tomorrow
Who won't still be there to remind me
So I can put it all behind me

But tell me all your troubles
So I can sympathise
I won't pretend I'm a success
No need to tell you polite lies

I won't tell you all my troubles
Revive what I'd rather forget
I don't dare tell you the whole truth
Sometimes it's better not

Books talk about self-doubt
And the imposture syndrome
Ive come here for a holiday
To escape my problems at home

But I watch the woman confessing all
On stage, in poems, I sympathise
I want to tell you my truth and my lies
Unburden, share all with smiling eyes.
-ends-
Written at Swanwick Writers' Summer School
Angela Lansbury copyright Aug Sunday 25 2019

Secret Joys Of New Knickers Shared

I proudly wore my new knickers today
I found a brand new set hidden away
Still in the packet, brand new and bright clean
Not stained, faded, jaded, crisp gleam pristine

I wish you could see, dear - wish you were here.
The colours were bright and light and so clear
What joy to fetch, the elastic won't stretch
I've no fear they'll pop and shockingly drop

Try all, wear all three? Yes. No one will see 

I can or could, I feel happy and good

The colours are varied, red, white and black

I've lost the receipt - I can't take them back!

I'd found an old, new set hidden away
Proudly worn, soft silk, new knickers today.

No, no-one will know, so no-one will care
But it's a small joy I just had to share.

-ends-
Copyright Angela Lansbury 2019 Aug 24
Comic poem.

The Ark in the Park version 2

Noah started building his ark
All in secret, just for a lark
Near the dark woods and deep water
In a remote national park

But when building was nearly done
He grew tired of staying so mum
So called the family for fun
And said, "Let's take her for a run!"

They sailed around just as he'd planned
His boat, like a cruise ship, so grand
Unluckily when they reached land
The harbour master raised his hand

"You can't park that boat, not round here
It's far too large and far too near
I fear you'll cause an obstruction ..."
He stroked his chin in hesitation

Noah felt in pocket, no docket
But he had a gold coin or two
A bribe would get the man on side
He knew just what he had to do

He said, "You're good, but must act tough
Look, it's sunny, but waves are rough
We can't go, so could you move on?
Are these two, three, five coins enough?"

"The man looked over his shoulder
"Take them quick," said Noah, bolder
"Please be kind, don't raise the alarm
I promise, we won't do no harm

"We just need a lull in the storm
Good willing, we'll go in the morn
May I offer you tea inside?
Just take a look, have a free ride ..."

"No," said the man, "I must move on
Make sure by tomorrow you're gone."
Have a safe journey, wish you well
You ain't seen me. I'll never tell."

Waters rose. Noah slammed the door.
Stay or go? He still was not sure.
On balance, he thought, I'll wait, stay.
I've lost my map, don't know the way.

I'll get away with one more day!
Leave tomorrow, or two more days?
The sheep stop eating, the goats start bleating
What could he do? What should he say?

White, frothy waters splashed higher.
The sky grew grey. The drizzle was dire.
Mud sucked round - stuck in the mire!
Waves struck - the anchor floats away!

They drifted, circled days and days.
At last, dry flat land, they landed.
On a mountain top. "We're stranded!"
They all crept out and peered about.

Despite the flood, they're not alone.
They're in some other nation's home.
Dodos and dinosaurs are dead
Rabbits - and cockroaches - have bred.

Noah shows his boat, boasts his story
"Whales were huge, toothy sharks gory"
Lived on his tale 'til old'n' hoary
Found fortune, fame - eternal glory.
-ends-
Copyright Angela Lansbury. Sunday 18 August 2019.
I created version 2 by changing every line to eight syllables, adding some more thoughts, such as the number of coins and alliteration. I expanded the last couplet to four lines. I overwrote the first draft.

Then I read it to my husband.
However, my husband said he'd preferred the original version.

So I copied version 2, before saving it, reverted to draft in the hope of getting back version 1, saved version 2 as a new document. I went back to the (revert to draft) version 1 and made sure I had shortened it and recreated the the more conversational tone and uneven lines.

I would be interested to hear which version you prefer.  You need to read both versions twice. Why? Because if you read version 1 then version 2 you might prefer version one because on reading version two you have lost the surprise effect of reading it for the first time. 

The Ark In The Park version 1

Noah started building his ark
All in secret, just for a lark
Near the dark woods and deep water
In a remote national park

But when the building was nearly done
He'd grown tired of staying mum
He thought he would take it out for a run
And called the whole family in for some fun.

They sailed around just as he'd planned
Such a big boat, like a cruise ship, so grand
Unfortunately when they came into land
A 'busy' official held up his hand

"You can't park that big boat, not around here
It's far too large and it's far too near
I fear you will be causing obstruction ..."
He stroked his chin in meditation, hesitation

Noah felt in his pocket, but found no docket
Only a coin or two
A bribe would get the man on side
He knew what he had to do

He said, "You're a kind-hearted man, but have to be tough
Altough it seems sunny, the waves are too rough
We can't move off, can you move on?
Ahem - are these coins enough?"

"Well, I don't know ..." he looked over his shoulder
"Take it quickly," said Noah, now growing bolder
"Don't worry, I promise, we won't do no harm
Don't raise the alarm, in a lull between storms - we'll be gone in the morn.

"Are you sure you won't have some tea inside?
Have a look around, and come for a free ride ..."
"No, no," said the man, "I have to move on
But make sure by tomorrow you're gone."

The waters rose. Noah slammed shut the door.
Stay or go? He still wasn't sure.
On balance he thought he'd rather stay.
After all, he didn't know the way.

But the waters rose higher and higher
The weather was getting dire.
Muddy all round. Stuck in the mire.
A big wave struck and they floated away.

They drifted around for days and days.
Eventually they came to dry land and landed.
On the top of a mountain. A dry spell. they're stranded.
They all came out and looked about.

Despite the flood, they were not alone.
They'd landed in some other nation's home.
The dodo and dinosaur were both dead.
But the rabbits and cockroaches had secretly bred.

They had a big boat, and embroidered their story.
They lived on their fame - and eternal glory.
-ends-

Swimming And Looking Forward

Around blue pools, skyscrapers, high
Lift homes like crows' nests to the sky
From their top terrace, looking down
See toy cars crawl though our trim town

I must save this crisp image long
After I'm no longer fit, nor strong
So even were I deaf or blind
This perfect picture fills my mind

I tell myself, in this hour of leisure
I've the power to preserve this fleeting pleasure
Whether on a scaffold or hospital bed
I'll stick this mural in my head

I'll ignore or dump thoughts of future pain
But see bridges and rainbows and blue skies again
Around cool pools, skyscrapers high
Lift me to a viewpoint in the sky.

Angela Lansbury
Poem writee on Aug 1st 2019

Romance Lost Long Ago Invading Today

You were my first love

So long ago

What if, what if

We'll never know

Recall how it began
With an angry young man
And how he danced so free
Full of wild energy

I would lurk around
My eyes on the ground
And look at you shyly
And glance at you slyly

I remember the nights
Of virgin delights
I bought your silver ring
Wond'ring what it would bring

Not a gift, at my cost
And then it was lost
But a dozen red roses
Yes, a dozen red roses

How do you see the past?
Was it too good to last?
Do you still think of me
And how things might be?

Mum who drove us asunder
Is now six foot under
And sometimes I wonder
And sometimes I wonder

I remember the day
When you walked away
With your new rucksack
And never looked back

For when I broke away
For a year and a day
I thought you might come back
On the same old track

I felt young and alive
I thought love would survive
But you would not try again
So I tried other men

I have your old photo
It brings me delight
Three decades ago
Not like now on your website

For I see you are old
For years love's been cold
You're not a teenager
But just an old stranger

Are you thinking of me?
How much would it take
To call you up now?
Would it be a mistake?

Would you just pretend
To be once more my friend?
So you could call the end
Go once more round the bend!

You're not a teenager
Just a wrinkled old stranger
And the biggest danger
That's the biggest danger

The old love keeps me fired
Because I'm feeling tired
For years love's been cold
And we're both now too old.

-ends-

Dreaming of R B S, University College, 1967.
.