whoever doubts that fame is fickle
need only ask the prudish pickle
it hoped to be a phallic symbol
handled by fingers strong and nimble
but ends up pickled in a jar
so close, alas, but no cigar
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2792402---Pickle--
polish the truth: it shines!
highlighting sharper lines
embellishing, imply
and then voila! a lie
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2792288-The-Unvarnished-Truth---In-15-words-
I'm finding that a dime a dozen
does not allow well for inflation
go price those eggs -- it clearly doesn't!
and so I've banned this incantation
and now say: dozen for a buck
let's hope it ends there, what the fuck
Well, I lose the bet to Gulliver, they do have grapes as big as our houses.
I really hope he was lying about the Yahoos, though.
I'm not sure I can put up with that much horse shit
Author notes: 38 words.
when human feet at last take steps on Mars
and fuzzy signals broadcast dusty boots
another small step, gateway to the stars
and soon metallic barracks cut their scars
into the rusted landscape, growing roots
when human feet at last take steps on Mars
the astronauts will write their memoirs
and spaceships will enable their pursuits
another small step, gateway to the stars
at first survival, then casinos, bars
the colony gains common attributes
when human feet at last take steps on Mars
first children born, and dads give out cigars
and planted grasses show their shallow shoots
another small step, gateway to the stars
and slowly the red planet becomes ours
the little children running, with no suits
when human feet at last take steps on Mars
another small step, gateway to the stars
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2791854-2021-Form-Poetry-Rounds---November
the lemonade stand needs a ditty
my little daughter, oh so pretty
asked papa writer to write some
of course, I am under her thumb
I'm horrified: the gentle lemon
appears to rhyme with none but daemon!
it'd be much easier to rhyme
if we were talking about lime
my mind soon wanders to tequila
and limes again -- no, that's a killa
the lemon is raison d'etre
be it in English or in meter
oh sure, it is a little acid
but I cannot be calm or placid
ditty she wants, ditty she gets
this lemonade will have some spritz
at last I think I have a plotline
the lemon is a citrus bloodline
it does not fall far from its tree
and is quite excellent with tea
it's easier to rhyme than orange
that one requires a bit of courage
and also goes quite well with fish
it's added to most every dish
I give it to my little daughter
so far I think, she earned a quarter
and she says: Dad, it's lemonade!
and not a lemon, which you've made
oh well, back to the drawing board
at least it's not about a gourd
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2792263-A-poem-about-lemons-
my words are trapped on dusty shelves
where Oxford dictionaries stand
refusing to arrange themselves
in ways that aren't plainly bland
labeled pedestrian or worse
I'd rather they stayed on the shelf
and yet some animating curse
drives me to immolate myself
so here are some that I've let out
now back to worry and self doubt
the fool moon is a lovers curse
once bitten, their minds turn to verse
and dropping their defenses
losing all common senses
they howl, as moonlight makes them swoon
off key, but strikingly in tune
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2791928--376-MAX-6-lines---IMAGE-is-prompt
I tell you this, my good old fellah
e'er since the days of Methuselah
they're countless -- stories that are told
about the evil that is gold
born in the heart of supernovae
this shiny object of Jehovah
does simply represent the rare
it's humans who put on its air
and so no doubt in years upcoming
as financing updates its plumbing
the bitcoin will receive this label
it's coveted by Cain and Abel
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2792076-all-that-is-gold-does-not-glitter
you know fire breathers
and ice spewing drakes
and some of our readers
think lizards and snakes
Chinese yin and yang
a self swallowing tail
a venomous fang
in a harrowing tale
the Hydra, a dragon
with infinite heads
encircling wagons
Smaug -- everyone dreads
and yet you have not
heard of Strawberry Sam
his wings are quite taut
he's the color of jam
his breath a bit fruity
and his telltale hiss
beware! it's his duty
to give you a kiss
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2791800-Heroic-Fantasy-209
A recent fishing trip: behold!
I netted one that's made of gold
I look at it, its mouth agape
and then it tells me: hey, you ape!
will you release me pronto, please
please, do not hesitate or tease
I need the water for my air
release me now, don't stop and stare
I found my voice at last, and said:
why don't I make fish soup, instead
I won't release you, magic fish
No, not unless you grant a wish
I wish for riches beyond words
everything else is for the birds
and so shall you be, if you please
so grant my wish, I do not tease
Is that the only thing you want?
my wish did not impress or daunt
the golden dweller of the lake
I held my breath -- a lot's at stake!
he granted it, I felt the wealth
it's indescribable and stealth
you see, it's riches beyond words
and that has brought its own rewards
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2792152-No-Rules-Just-Rhymes
bring guns and roses
sweet child of mine
november rain