Behind the Bars Blues

To my right is Tommy Two-Face
He murdered his wife
He is pleading insanity
I bet he gets life

To my left is Little Lenny
He weighs three hundred and four
They found him with lots of cocaine
I think that he had more

Over there is Billy Kid The
Dyslexic, I think
Robbing people at an ATM
Landed him in the clink

And there sits Mumbling Mo
Disorderly and drunk
Making snow angels in the highway
Wearing only his swim trunks

With these criminals I sit
For my dastardly deed
I was walking my dog
Without a dog lead

I know there’s an ordinance
Saying you must have a leash
But my dog is well trained
And by my side won’t release

The officer was a rookie
Making his first arrest
And slapped on the handcuffs
When his manner I did protest

As he tried to take my dog
I pushed him aside
Saying, “Just write me a ticket”
“Officer down!!!”, he started to cry

And now I’m in the slammer
With this violent crew
For not having my dog tethered
Singing the behind the bars blues



Based on a true story that happened to me many years ago.  I felt like Arlo Guthrie in “Alice’s Restaurant.”

Copyright © | Year Posted 2011



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 6/23/2011 5:19:00 AM
I, for one, am grateful that you were not "shot on the spot"
Login to Reply
Date: 6/21/2011 11:12:00 AM
Many congratulations Joe on your win in Miranda's contest with this fine poem. So many similar situations like you have written here abound in society. Nice piece :)
Login to Reply
Date: 6/21/2011 9:56:00 AM
Congratulations on your win in Randa's "Behind Bars Blues" contest Joe. Love, Carol
Login to Reply
Date: 6/18/2011 11:16:00 AM
Joe, you would NEVER serve time in prison for having your dog without a leash here. A fine, yes, but more likely a warning the first time. Seems like they went overboard with the punishment. Congratulations on your win! Love, Carolyn
Login to Reply
Date: 6/18/2011 10:34:00 AM
It's a lot funnier now than it was at the time I bet.Great poem Joe and congratulations. Love, Joyce
Login to Reply
Date: 6/18/2011 10:20:00 AM
Congrats Joe on your great big win in the contest with this true to life story ..enjoy luv..
Login to Reply
Date: 6/18/2011 10:15:00 AM
My congratulations on the win in the contest of miranda, Joe
Login to Reply
Date: 5/28/2011 9:40:00 PM
Oh NO! cant believe you would do something so dastardly..lol..sorry you ended up in the slammer..but it gave you material for a great write. BG
Login to Reply
Date: 5/28/2011 2:07:00 PM
You have led an interesting life based on your poems and imagination. I like the poem and good luck in the contest. Mike
Login to Reply
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter