STONE SOUP: poetry

What's in Your Wallet?

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:30:19 GMT

This is National Poetry Month in the U.S. Helium is hosting some poetry contests, with Helium T-shirts as prizes. I decided to take a shot at a couple of the titles. This is one of them. Not deathless verse by any means, but it does have a message.

http://www.helium.com/items/986726-whats-walletwhy-money-stashlets

January Blues

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 15:20:15 GMT

I'm jumping the gun a bit here -- but it won't be long until January arrives. This piece took second prize in the Northern Ontario poetry contest, and can be sung to the tune of "Frankie and Johnny".

Smile! Into every life, a little snow must fall.

JANUARY BLUES

Oh wow! what a wonderful Christmas,

With music and women and brew!

My credit cards are maxed out,

and my girl friend's overdue.

Oh, please excuse me --

I've got the January blues.

I drank hopeful toasts to the New Year,

Determined to walk a new way --

I listed resolutions,

And I broke them the next day.

Oh, please excuse me --

I've got the January blues.

The temperature's going to plummet,

A chill wind has started to blow.

A plow passed by my Chevvy

And buried it in snow!

Oh, please excuse me --

I've got the January blues.

Oh Lordy, I can't take this headache,

I'm breaking down under the load:

The cat threw up on the carpet

And the toilet overflowed.

Oh, please excuse me --

I've got the January blues.

But why waste my breath belly-aching?

Why bother to fuss and fret?

Soon it will be tax time,

Then I'll see how bad it can get!

Soon I may lose

My shirt and my shoes.

Oh Yeah!

Reset

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 02:02:14 GMT

RESET

Hunched over my remote control, I venture bravely on --

Too bad for that old dragon king, 'cause he will soon be gone.

But suddenly, behind a bush, a wizard waves his staff:

I lose my strength, I fall down hard, I hear the monster laugh.

Oh drat! I just got killed again, but I know what to do:

Just hit that old RESET once more, and it will pull me through.

Just hit RESET! Just hit RESET!

I just need one more shot at it.

Just wait -- I'll get it yet!

I didn't know the ins and outs,

I'm really not to blame.

Hold on -- just give me one more chance,

And I can win this game!

I love my electronic games, and think each time I play,

Now wouldn't it be wonderful if life could work this way?

I lacked the necessary facts, could not tell false from true;

I wasn't properly prepared the first time I went through.

It's not my fault I made mistakes, I didn't know the score!

I'll change the paths I take this time -- I'm smarter than before.

Just hit RESET! Just hit RESET!

I just need one more shot at it.

Just wait -- I'll get it yet!

I didn't know the ins and outs,

I'm really not to blame.

Hold on -- just give me one more chance,

And I can win this game!

I had a dream the other night, it wasn't very sweet:

I saw the Lord Almighty sitting on His heav'nly seat.

The angels fluttered nervously because He wore a frown.

It was His day to check out Earth, and things were going down.

People were ignoring Him, His plans weren't working out.

He called for His remote control, and He began to shout:

Just hit RESET! Just hit RESET!

I just need one more shot at it.

Just wait -- I'll get it yet!

I didn't know the ins and outs,

I'm really not to blame.

Hold on -- just give me one more chance,

And I can win this game!