Tag Archives: rhyme scheme

Washing Hands Lament

There once was a man
who didn’t wash his hands
then touched everything in the kitchen.

When I remind him again
after he’d touched his glands,
I always felt I was bitchin’.

(That is to say,
not in a good way,
I’d rather eat rotten chicken.)

What should I do?
What should I say?
I continually remind him
day after day.

He just shrugs and stares.
He clearly doesn’t care.
Maybe not caring’s the trick
(At least ’til I get sick.)

You’d think what we’d seen
during Covid-19
would change his hand washing
without all my bossing.

What should I do?
I haven’t a clue.
And now I’ll go puke
’cause I’ve got the flu.

Diamonds in the Trees: ImproVerse Rhyming Poem

Friends were complaining after a major ice storm in the Chattanooga Metro area (Catoosa County, NW Georgia). With lows around 6 degrees above zero, it WAS cold! As the sun came up, it showed something magical: Diamonds in the Trees. I walked through the woods and out into the wildflower field at Spirit Tree Farms, where goldenrods, pokeweed, late bonneset, blackberries, grasses, and other native plants joined with honey locusts, hickory and oak trees, and more, to show off  a collection of sparkling jewels unmatched at any jewelry store. I riffed these iambic lines in a video, trying to stiffle my crying. Thanks to HomeGrownNationalPark.org for the inspiration, and to Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus for the Creation.

Just When I Thought I Wouldn’t Care

Just when I thought
I wouldn’t care,
folks who brought me here
can’t be left there.

There’s much I want
to go and do.
I imagine at one time
they did too.

But then I and you
came to be,
and they stayed and cared
for you and me.

Now it’s our turn to watch and tend;
As they did before, we’ll help to their end.

Longfellow Christmas Day Remake: Peace On Earth Poem and Video

I have few words
This Christmas Day.
There isn’t much
I want to say.
But I’ll pray more,
Knees on the floor,
For peace on Earth,
good will to all.
 
I thought now
That the rain has come,
To solve my gifting
Conundrum,
I’d wish you near,
Those I hold dear,
And peace on Earth,
Good will to all!
 
I miss you all!
Know in my soul,
I wish to speak
So you will know
My deepest hope
For all my folks
Is peace on earth
Good will to all.
 
And if I fail
To talk to you,
Please still believe
My heart is true!
My fervent prayer
Gives love to share
With peace on Earth
Good will to all.
 
Though I may not
Take sorrow away,
Know this: I ask God
For you every day
To bring to you
Christ’s joy that’s true,
And peace on Earth,
Good will to all!
——
With gratitude for Longfellow,
And Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our salvation.
 
 
I Have No Words: Christmas Day Poem in the style of Longfellow’s “I Heard The Bells”.

Dr. Seuss In Wisconsin: Rhyming Poetry

A friend posted a Cat in the Hat meme that said:
“Will it rain?
Will it snow?
I live in Wisconsin!
I do not know!”

I responded:

I do not know,
nor do I care.
I will go out
everywhere.

Snow is good,
sun is fun,
and we like
the combination!

I will eat cheese.
You will drink beer.
And we’ll not know
the time of year.

We do not fret,
we do not fuss.
We will hang out,
just the Wisconsinus.

I Prefer The Woman She Strives To Be: Revolutionary Iambic Response

Some guy named Spencer McFarland made this comment, captured in a meme (which many woman are gleefully reposting) :
Advice To Girls (ironic the advice is given by a man!)

My wife responded:
“I’d rather not be loud and gross and take up space. I’d rather be calm and clean and be present or off doing what I want. I’d rather not be snide and sarcastic. I’d rather be loving and kind. I’d rather be helpful, kind and respectful of everyone … including myself. I don’t need to say no to everyone but I also don’t need an excuse to say no if I’d rather use my time a different way.”

My response to my wife?
I enjoy having a wife/
who doesn’t plot or scheme,/
or need a Facebook meme, /
to tell her how to live her life