PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

Note: Merv Webster (Bush Poet) and I wrote this as part of a "grab-a-partner" competition in a poetory forum a couple of years ago. It was an interesting experience since I had never written this particular style. This poem is included in Merv and Chris Webster's book, "Keeping the Culture."





In the land known as Down Under lived a poet called The Grey,

he was loved by all the womenfolk and handsome, so they say.

It is true he loved his women like he loved a glass of beer,

but to tangle with this rascal it could cost you very dear.



In a rhinestone-studded dreamworld lived a lady of the South

sipping sparkling green mint juleps with her ruby painted mouth.

She sat seated on a barstool, when in walked the man called Grey

"Hey now here's a challenge for a gal," some thought they heard her say.



Grey had heard about Fair Ellen and how well this fair belle sang,

so he'd spread his wings to meet her and he didn't give a hang,

if the sheilas from Down Under were as jealous as could be,

he just saddled up beside her and said, "Slip up on my knee."



"Slip upon your knee!" she said, "but Sir I’m from an older school

and I've heard you’re quite the ladies’ man and I’m nobody’s fool."

In response the Grey chugged down a beer and turned to make his stance,

for he plucked her from the pedestal and they began to dance.



In her ear he whispered verses that were ridgy dige, true blue.

Lines of similies and metaphors, alliteration too.

Ellen swooned at his advances, but The Grey he held her tight

and he sensed that he had won the maid, much to the gents delight.



Now Fair Ellen had been 'round a bit and knew men and their ways,

but this heart that had flown freely was now melted by his gaze.

As they danced there was a silence, all but for Grey’s spoken word,

and in all the lands where she had flown sweet songs she’d never heard.



Then the batwing doors flew open and in walked another bard;

free Verse Vern from down near Florida whose face was cruel and hard.

The verse standoff was horrendous and the crowd cheered on for more

till both bards dropped from exhaustion and collapsed onto the floor.



"Oh my loves!" she cried, "I've killed you both, whatever shall I do?

I adored you bards with all my heart, and surely loved you true.

Can I find another poet here? My tab, it must be paid."

Then the Haiku prince Ngami came to this poor damsel's aid.



So the moral of the story is don't make a Lady choose

if you seek to be the winner then you're surely bound to lose.

Free Verse Vern went back to Florida, The Grey got drunk on beer,

while Fair Ellen's fair advances kept Ngami broke I fear.