RONDEAUS - 118

I wrote several rondeaus as a writing exercise.
They are not autobiographical - just imagination.


WHEN YOU'RE GRIEVING ...
When you're grieving, what can friends say
After asking if you're o.k.?
Of course they sympathise with you,
But it's less painful for them to
Cross the road, look the other way ...

Some folk with false heartiness say
"Just wait 'till Spring is on the way
For they don't want to distress you
When you're grieving.

So though you may feel sad and grey
You must smile and make yourself say
"I'm fine - it's nice to see you to"
They then will ask what they can do
And with relief go on their way...
When you're grieving.



WHEN YOU ARE OLD
When you are old and Life is slow
You dream of days, so long ago
When you were young and full of fire
Could walk for miles and never tire,
With strengths that only young men know.

But Life is still sweet, even though
The signs of age begin to show,
You can but dream of sweet desires
When you are old.

But why, Lord, must we undergo
Indignities because we're slow,
And youngsters in bright tones inquire:
"So how are we?" - Life can be dire
When you are old.

October 1994

THE MODERN MOTHER GOOSE

THE MODERN MOTHER GOOSE – MS.GOOSE (SINGLE PARENT)

 

Mary, Mary, quite contrary

How do your verges grow?

With old tin cans

And rusting vans

And fag packets all in as row.

 

 

Little Jack Horner

Sat in a corner

Eating his soya-meat pie.

He found ‘tween his teeth

A piece of real meat

And said “What a lucky boy am I”

 

 

Curly-locks, Curly-locks wilt thou be mine?

Thou shall not dishes,

Nor yet feed the swine.

But sit on a cushion

And sew a fine seam

And feed upon strawberries, sugar and cream.

 

Thank you kind sir - I can never be thine,

I have a dish-washer and I love little swine.

I don’t like fine sewing – it bores me to tears,

I’m allergic to strawberries, haven’t eaten one for years.

 

Sugar is fattening, cream cloying and thick

So high in cholesterol it makes me feel sick;

Sitting still is bad, it makes your blood clot

I’m honoured by your offer Sir – but accept it I cannot.

 

March 1982

 

 

THE EXTENSION OF ENGLISH

 

 

                              THE EXTENSION OF ENGLISH

 

We say “ab-so-lut-ely”

When what we mean is “yes”

Four syllables have more emphasis

Than a single one – I guess?

 

And instead of “Now” we say

“At this moment in time”

Padding out a sentence

Is not a grammatical crime.

 

“I myself am of the opinion …”

What’s wrong with “I think”?

Its meaning is the same –

It’s short – and it’s succinct.

 

“There you go”-  “I mean to say”-

“You know what I mean” -

All these pointless phrases

Dot the vocal scene.

 

English can be a concise language

But in recent years there’s been a trend

To use six words where one would do

And every sentence extend.

 

Are these meaningless words used

Because we are so vexed

By the savage abbreviations

Of  the world of the text?

 

May 2007