I'm feeling philosophical. Nothing like a little lousy doggerel to package up a few pearls of wisdom.
Now life can be fun
when you’re on a run
and happiness makes you her own
But then she walks away
and leaves you to play
by yourself,
unescorted,
alone.
When that happens you’ll find
precious few seem to mind
why should they care if you’re sad and blue?
All your troubles, they say
ought to go right away:
(If they don’t
what are they
meant to do?)
There are people who’ll say
life is far more than play
and suffering’s good for the soul
Sure, they mean to be kind
But like me, you will find
that these words
tend to leave
you quite cold.
Here’s a word to the wise:
When you realize
that life ain’t just skittles and beer
Just put up with the shit
when it’s hardtack and spit
Soon enough
we’ll all be
out of here.
|
Written by Kathy (220 comments posted) 27th February 2007 |
Liked it. Wise words indeed and something very satisfying about doggerel...!
Should "all your troubles" have an Uppercase A at the beginning?
Kathy |
Written by Witzl (1585 comments posted) 27th February 2007 |
Thanks, Kathy -- yes it should have, and it has now been changed.
Even doggerel must be properly punctuated. |
Quality Doggerel!
Written by Talisker (1326 comments posted) 27th February 2007 |
Fun, good wisdom, a bit negative maybe, but I liked it anyway.
oli  |
Written by Bottleblondesurfer (3352 comments posted) 27th February 2007 |
Is a limerick doggerel or the other way round? this had a recognisable rhythm so at least I know what it is now. I love stuff like this; it works for me. Sombre thoughts expressed in a jaunty rhythm.It shouldn't work but it does. Tom Lehrer does this sort of stuff so well. It means you have put some genuine thought into it and it's all the better for it. Beer and skittles is a bit old fashioned now ,I suppose it should be pool and alco-pops
J |
I know this rhythm
Written by Josie (2785 comments posted) 27th February 2007 |
| Remember my poem "The Insomniac Poet": When you lie wide awake, and your head starts to ache - and you just cannot get off to sleep."? ha ha. I thought it was a good rhythm for a poem, and you do too. My insomniac poet felt better after the clock had struck four, he'd had a cup of tea etc etc. So perhaps this could be the solution for you when your spirits are going downwards. I think you should change the last verse and end on an "upwards" note. |
Written by Talisker (1326 comments posted) 27th February 2007 |
Forgot to mention:
I always get the skittles after too much beer 
Oli |
Written by Witzl (1585 comments posted) 27th February 2007 |
Thank you, Oli, Jane and Josie.
Until very recently, I always assumed that skittles were a savory snack. They sounded tasty, like crisps.
When I was working out the rhythm to this, I was actually thinking of the G & S song from the Yeoman of the Guard, 'Oh the Private Buffoon is a light-hearted loon.' I am not sure why it came to mind today -- must be something to do with the grey skies and cold. And I thought that the jaunty tone would balance any negative message that might be read into this. |
Written by Phil (6713 comments posted) 27th February 2007 |
An old deputy head I had used to say (when the going got tough): Life is a bowl of toe nails, and then you die. It always lightened the moment and we all used to get on with what was ahead of us with renewed energy. (!?)
Enjoyed this one. Like BBS, like the jaunty rhythm with the less than jolly words.
Phil.
|
Hi Mary
Written by jean.day (2279 comments posted) 27th February 2007 |
Poetry isn't my thing really - but you seem to get your point across.
I think my favourite bit is the hardtack and spit. |
Written by Witzl (1585 comments posted) 27th February 2007 |
Thank you, Phil and Jean. I think 'Life is a bowl of toenails' has a nice surreal ring to it; things like that often cheer me up. I can still remember when my mother was dying and we were all very depressed, my uncle, her older brother, said very sternly 'It gets a lot harder after this! Losing your mother is nothing!' and I was perversely cheered by this. It was just so over-the-top awful that it struck me as funny.
As a matter of fact, Jean, I woke up with the phrase 'hardtack and spit' in my head a few days ago. I liked it a lot, so I wrote it down and decided to plan a poem around it.
I tell myself this is keeping a hand in on the days that I don't seem particularly creative. Weird, but true. |
Had to read it
Written by bwoz (125 comments posted) 3rd March 2007 |
The title pulled me right in -- a big fan of beer. It kind of started off like a "free" weekend with the family all gone somewhere and the house all to yourself.
When we are alone for long periods we think "wish I wasn't always alone". When we are surrounded by people and things and pets and responsibility we often think "wish I could just go someplace and be alone".
Then, when it happens its all "skittles and beer" as you say -- at least for a while. Until the responsibility nerves kicks in again.
Yeah, life sometimes sucks -- thats when its time to suck it up.
Good words, good sentiment and something I think all readers can relate to.
BW |
Written by Witzl (1585 comments posted) 3rd March 2007 |
| Thank you, bwoz. So many poems about wine and nowhere near enough about beer. Perhaps we can all try to redress the balance. |
Only registered users can rate and write comments.
Please login or register.
Previous item
