Dunk – A Nonsense Rhyme

This is in response to Sammi Cox’s Weekend Writing Prompt #283 where the given word is DUNK and the word count is 78. Better late than never, but I was determined to continue the acrostic theme!

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Not one, but three dunks to make the count

Dunking biscuits gleefully 
Under the boughs of the old oak tree 
Not concerned lest they should break 
Kept dunking them for old times sake

Dead fly biscuits were the best
Uncle Sam was not impressed
Never passed his moustachioed lips
Kept biscuits dry without the dips

Dandy Denis dunked too much 
Until his biscuits turned to slush 
Never drank the soggy bottom 
Kept telling me this rhyme was rotten 

No Laughing Matter #2

I came across an incomplete poem today and decided to finish it off, completely forgetting that I had already done so, and published it HERE. I may be getting old!

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I wandered lonely in the town                                   

Through crowded mall I went today

When all at once I saw a clown

And hoped that he would go away

His mouth was huge, his eyes were white

He really gave me quite a fright

§

I’ve had this fear throughout my life

Irrational though it seems to some

Including both my kids and wife

It often makes me feel quite glum

I can’t explain this fear to you

It makes me dash off to the loo

§

But now when contemplating life

And dreaming of great things to come

I can’t forget this daily strife

Which oft results in squeeky bum

I now stay out of all the towns 

And thus avoid those nasty clowns

§

Were I to analyse my fears

To try to find the reason why

Most likely it would end in tears

The likelihood is very high

Please do not mock this dreadful fear

My coulrophobia’s very clear!

§

©Peter Matthews 2022

With apologies to William Wordsworth

No Laughing Matter

BERJAYA
Public domain picture

§

I wandered lonely in the town                                   

through crowded mall I went today

when all at once I saw a clown

and hoped that he would go away

His mouth was huge, his face was white

He really gave me quite a fright

§

I’ve had this fear throughout my life

irrational though it seems to be

I passed it on to son and wife

We hope some day that we’ll be free

but meanwhile I’ll just drink this beer

It helps to take away the fear

§

I’m sitting here, I’ve had a few

I’ve interspersed the beer with gin

Now bring the clown and all his crew

I’ll smash his mouth and nose right in

I think I’ve overcome my fright

Perhaps now things will be alright.

§

I needed rest, was feeling faint

the barman helped to calm me down

We talked about that old complaint

where horror came with every clown

The coulrophobia’s gone for sure

It seems that getting drunk’s a cure!

§

(With thanks, and apologies, to William Wordsworth)

A tribute to Haggis

I do enjoy a little bit of Burns and, on the anniversary of his birth, thought I would reshare this with you.

Peter's pondering's avatarPeter's pondering

Tonight is The Bard of Ayrshire’s night

(Robert Burns 25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796)

‘Tis Burns night lest you didnae ken

and all around the isles

folk are eating Haggis

and most of them have piles!

It hardly is surprising

for what they stuff within

then serve with neeps and tatties

and share with all their kin

It’s “tak a dram afore ye go”

and blether all night long

then pipes and drums and dance with swords

inevitably a song

Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it

Haggis aint so bad

It’s just I look so awful

when fully dressed in plaid!

©petermatthews2016

For those who are totally mystified here are a couple of links which may help to explain:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haggis

http://www.scotranslate.com/translate/scottish/a-really-didnae-ken/4/1808#.VqY7wDZ6qFI

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Song Lyric Sunday – 18 October 2020 – Won’t Get Fooled Again

BERJAYA

Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday gives us the chance to share familiar, and sometimes not so familiar, songs. Jim has given us No/Yes this week to be included in the title or lyrics.

If you fancy sharing one of your favourite songs you can find out how to participate, and also listen to all the great entries, here.

This week I chose a song by The Who, formed in London  in 1964, the year that I joined the army. Their classic line-up consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townsend, bass guitarist John Entwistle  and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century, selling over 100 million records worldwide.

The Who’s iconic anthem, ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’, from the 1971 ‘Who’s Next’ album is performed here on B-Stage at Shepperton Studios on 25 May 1978. It is not the best performance there is but gives a good indication of some of the excesses that have obviously been indulged in by more than a couple of the band. Sadly this was to be the very last public performance ever by Keith Moon.

The lyrics are on the video.

In mid-1978 Keith Moon moved into Flat 12, 9 Curzon Place, Mayfair, London.  Cass Elliot of the Mamas and Papas had died there four years earlier, at the age of 32.  Harry Nilsson, who owned the flat, was concerned about letting it to Keith Moon, believing it was cursed. Townshend disagreed, assuring him that “lightning wouldn’t strike the same place twice”.

After moving in, Moon began a prescribed course of Heminevrin (Clomethiazole) to alleviate his alcohol withdrawal symptoms. He wanted to get sober, but due to his fear of psychiatric hospitals he wanted to do it at home. That particular drug is discouraged for unsupervised detoxification because of its addictive potential, its tendency to induce tolerance, and its risk of death when mixed with alcohol. The pills were prescribed by a physician who was unaware of Moon’s lifestyle.  Moon was given a bottle of 100 pills and told to take one pill when he felt a craving for alcohol but not more than three pills per day. 

By September 1978 Moon was having difficulty playing the drums, according to roadie Dave “Cy” Langston.  After seeing Moon in the studio trying to overdub drums for The Kids Are Alright, he said, “After two or three hours, he got more and more sluggish, he could barely hold a drum stick.” 

On 6 September, Moon and Annette Walter-Lax, his Swedish model girlfriend, were guests of Paul and Linda McCartney.  After dining with the McCartneys they returned to their flat.  He watched a film and asked Walter-Lax to cook him steak and eggs. When she objected, Moon replied, “If you don’t like it, you can fuck off!” These were his last words.  Moon then took 32 clomethiazole tablets. When Walter-Lax checked on him the following afternoon, she discovered he was dead. (Aged 32!)

Lundi limerick #93

A small Cornish village called Maker

has neither a priest nor a baker

It does have pub

but ay there’s the rub

for everyone there is a Quaker

 

The village exists but is not, and never has been, predominantly Quaker

You can learn a little about the village here.

Although not all Quakers (also known as Friends) are teetotal, many do practice abstinence. It is a fascinating religion and, indeed, some choose to lead a Quaker way of life but are non-theist.

Members of the various Quaker movements are all generally united by their belief in the ability of each human being to experientially access the light within, or “that of God in every one”.

I know that at least one of my readers is a Friend.

 

 

 

 

Start and Finish! No Merci! — The happy Quitter!

Bridget had a few things to finish in order to find her inner peace.

She found it!

BERJAYA

I heard a Doctor on TV saying at this time, when we all are forced to stay at home, we should focus on inner peace. To achieve this we should always finish things we start. Now or never! Time to finish old projects and calm down by doing so.

via Start and Finish! No Merci! — The happy Quitter!