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A Snappy Comeback

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Little Miss Mary was thirteen years old, and lived in gold, olden days; Like the longed for future, peeking at past, both of them full of praise. Miss Mary lived in a western town, with her dear Mother and Father; And adored redbirds as daily companions, singing 'til days got darker. Mary loved the magical, motley circus, eager as they came to town; For they offered the exciting and new, with old favorites, like clowns. The fuchsia faction was in full flower, in gardens of Mary and friends, Chatting 'neath wispy clouds, floating like floss, in days of never end. Favorite flowers lined up single file, in flashy colors, fragrance reeking; As faraway family, came calling, like fallen sunbeams, forever seeking. Mary lived in the house of planning, from dinners to chasing dreams; And making the hazy future happen, through the big and little things. Peppermint swirl skies of clouds and sunset, saw a red sun, reclining, On Mary's stars and stripes street-of lush, rampant, green ivy twining. As nasty nature grew sweet again, near neighbors came after storm; In new, neon colors of afterwards, and the colored, butterfly swarms. 'Raging red dogwood' grew beside the warpath, in the purple twilight; When 'pink live ginger' felt a heartbeat, in deep, afternoon's skylights. 'Blue climbing rose' shed rainy tears, when leaving old friends behind; As 'dragon fruit cacti' attracted dragons, in gardens of beauty confined. The circus came to Mary's town finally, and Miss Mary was very excited; Like birds' first gaze at pink sunrise, or purple sunflowers, once sighted. Mary asked her mother for money, to see the animals and the acrobats, And colorful, hilarious clowns; and many pretty ladies in elaborate hats. Mary had such fun at the circus! It was sort of like a dream come true; And that night she dreamed an altered version of events-variant review! The dream became a loved nursery rhyme, sung by many generations, Who adored the elephants' snappy comeback, delighting many nations! 'Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack All dressed in black, black, black With silver buttons, buttons, buttons All down her back, back, back She asked her mother, mother, mother For fifty cents, cents, cents To see the elephants, elephants, elephants Jump the fence, fence, fence. They jumped so high, high, high They reached the sky, sky, sky And didn't come back, back, back Till the 4th of July-ly-ly!'

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025




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Date: 6/1/2025 11:51:00 AM
This is such a whimsical, richly textured poem like stepping into a dreamy scrapbook of childhood! I love how you weave vibrant imagery into each stanza, creating a world that feels both magical and rooted in everyday beauty...
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Evelyn Judy Buehler
Date: 6/1/2025 4:15:00 PM
Silent One, I'm so pleased to receive your awesome comment! I'm happy that you took away such positivity from reading this poem, and I thank you so much for your kind words. Blessings.
Date: 5/31/2025 7:12:00 AM
enjoyed the images and sonorities, there are some circus in my town who came, once a year, will think to go, now, thanks poet for the invitation
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Evelyn Judy Buehler
Date: 5/31/2025 2:50:00 PM
I'm happy that this poem influenced your desire to see the circus, Yann. Deepest thanks for your appreciation. :)
Date: 5/31/2025 2:27:00 AM
It's been ages since I went to a circus in Malta. And now my government prohibited the use of animals. A lovely poem full of great rhymes
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Evelyn Judy Buehler
Date: 5/31/2025 2:46:00 PM
Aren't circuses fun? I adored this nursery rhyme as a small child, living in St. Louis at the time. Thank you for your compliment. :)

Book: Reflection on the Important Things