Rightly Jennings Poet Rhyme

Down the Straight and Narrow

So Malcolm has been flirting,
like a player with next to no faith                  
he gets wet when it is raining,
wi' no protection in a tight space
       keeping tags on what's been borrowed, 
             will only add to your heavy heart of sorrow                            
       tread lightly now, as you go down,
  down the straight and narrow

Watch the drama from your window, 
from the frames n' dusty shades
hold your verdict 'cause you'll never know,
all we've got are faces and names
       he'll compromise his good conscience,
              skin so thick, slick n' tough, like leather
        it's getting ever so much harder since
   he's been old enough to know better
 
    the way he came is the way he'll surely go

Off the cuff don't sweat the smaller stuff, 
between passion and common sense
  you will know when he's had enough, 
    Malcolm lights up in self defense 
       fascinates skin-tone to marrow,
             quicksilver-fast-talk cheap impossible to follow
         do listen though, it's a beautiful sound 
 and mighty like the sparrow

    the way he came is the way he's sure to go
            down the straight and narrow 

You wouldn't last a minute, not in my world, baby
you might take some pride from that
     you've been in it an' getting nowhere lately
     there's a bee-hive under your hat
       it's never easy to leave the hometown,
              n'them wanton brothers of questionable virtue
         the one thing you now know is how 
 sweetness will surely hurt you

           tread lightly now, as you go down
                      down the straight and narrow

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

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

Debbie Guzzi March 27, 2015 at 7:26 PM Most excellent unique content and an individual voice, I loved your use of dialect as well. I would suggest either using periods OR not capitalizing. The verse is so free and tiptoeing with caution in its content, perhaps it's best with no punctuation instead of commas use a space. Can't wait to read more of your verses. Light & love Rightly Jennings March 27, 2015 at 9:00 PM Very kind of you. thanks so much. I appreciate your tips. I'm happy you liked it.