In Fear of My Life

Poet's Notes
(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Terry Flood.


16 July 2023

Contest: Write A Story Poem

Sponsor: Joanna Daniel

 

 

I responded to a dare down at the county zoo
I was with my mates so what was I to do
It was only meant to be an Itsy Bitsy joke
That mighty ape seemed half asleep… so I gave him a poke

What happened next, in later life, I might have bragged
That massive ape looked angry when I said, “You’re tagged.”
I’m sky high on bravado but that didn’t last long
For very soon I found that something was very wrong

I thought it was a leg pull but my mates seemed shocked
When one announced that that gorilla’s cage ain’t locked
Kongo, the gorilla, grinned (I kid you not)
I’m telling you, I wasn’t welded to the spot

Kongo headed for his gate, he looked irate
I shouted as I ran, “I’m off; it’s getting late!”
I couldn’t find my keys; my car was staying put
It’s human v gorilla… and it’s all on foot

But I made it to the highway and I hitched a ride 
Kongo kept on coming at a rapid stride 
I asked the driver, “Can’t you give the gas a blast?
That damned gorilla’s angry… and he’s really fast.”

The pedal hit the floor, we hit a hundred and five
So we would outrun any hairy ape alive
We passed a warehouse and I said, “Thanks for the ride,
I think I’ve found the perfect place that I can hide.”

I snuck into the building but I felt quite sick
I heard gorilla footsteps coming really quick
I guessed he must have tracked me by the scent of my breath
And pondered all the headlines apropos my own death

He crashed in through the doorway like a drunk home late
With every step he took I felt the floor vibrate
I hid behind some shelves and tried hard not to breathe
And when he found me I knew that my folks would grieve 

I knew that all was lost; I couldn’t fight that beast
Maybe I could sock him on the jaw at least
He grabbed me with both hands; I thought my chest would split
But then he bared his fangs and said, “Hah! Tag; you’re it!”

Copyright © | Year Posted 2023



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: 7/26/2023 12:13:00 PM
Oh so adorable!!! Love this. Congratulations and God bless you. Love, Gina
Login to Reply
Date: 7/25/2023 8:38:00 AM
Back with Congratulations on your win. I enjoyed reading it again. True, the old stories are the best stories. Have a great day....................
Login to Reply
Flood Avatar
Terry Flood
Date: 7/25/2023 2:39:00 PM
I’m experimenting with the ‘worst’ (ie longest) shaggy dog tale I remember. If I finish it I might have to advise readers against reading it for the benefit of their sanity… or perhaps my ability to walk! (Because REVENGE may well be the order of the day)
Date: 7/25/2023 8:05:00 AM
Oh such a fun story; I love the ending. Congratulations on your win.
Login to Reply
Flood Avatar
Terry Flood
Date: 7/25/2023 2:35:00 PM
Thanks, Eve. Enjoyed putting this together. I recalled the beginning and the punch line, but had to re-imagine the rest. Glad you enjoyed. Terry
Date: 7/25/2023 5:31:00 AM
Indeed, a good story. Congratulations!
Login to Reply
Flood Avatar
Terry Flood
Date: 7/25/2023 2:32:00 PM
Thankyou very much, Christuraj. Glad you enjoyed.
Date: 7/25/2023 1:41:00 AM
Thanks Terry, I needed a good laugh. Its not just the laugh, you created a gripping story from start to finish, I could picture every motion all the way. So well done mate thoroughly enjoyed it. Congrats on your win. A very well told story.
Login to Reply
Flood Avatar
Terry Flood
Date: 7/25/2023 2:32:00 PM
Thanks, er… erm… ‘Speaky’. The original 1970s telling of this shaggy dog story went on so long that you could almost die of thirst waiting for the end. As I believe I’m among friends, I thought I’d condense it somewhat. Thanks for the congrats.
Date: 7/25/2023 1:13:00 AM
This made me simply laugh, Terry, awesome story telling, had me guessing till the end:) congratulations on top win:)
Login to Reply
Flood Avatar
Terry Flood
Date: 7/25/2023 2:28:00 PM
Thanks for the ‘first’, Joanna. I’d often thought about putting this very, very old, (Uk?) joke to rhyme, and your contest gave me the excuse I needed. Thanks again. Terry
Date: 7/16/2023 7:11:00 PM
What a story, Terry! Magnif!! If this isn't a winner, why, I'll eat my gizzard! :) gw
Login to Reply
Flood Avatar
Terry Flood
Date: 7/25/2023 2:25:00 PM
Oh, not on an empty stomach, GW. Fortunately you can save your gizzard for another day… dog gone it.
Date: 7/16/2023 10:18:00 AM
WOW!!! What a story/write. Good luck. Have a good day......................
Login to Reply
Flood Avatar
Terry Flood
Date: 7/16/2023 11:32:00 AM
Thanks, Paula. The old ones are the best ones. Terry
Date: 7/15/2023 7:38:00 PM
Fantastic story poem, Terry! You have some imagination! Best wishes in the contest! Blessings, Kim M
Login to Reply
Flood Avatar
Terry Flood
Date: 7/16/2023 11:30:00 AM
Thank you, Kim. Glad you enjoyed. Terry
Date: 7/15/2023 7:37:00 PM
Hah, an entertaining story poem that kept me quickly reading. Terry Flood style.
Login to Reply
Lane Avatar
Lin Lane
Date: 7/16/2023 11:18:00 AM
I enjoy everything you write, Terry. Apologies if I miss some. I'd no knowledge of shaggy dog stories.
Flood Avatar
Terry Flood
Date: 7/16/2023 11:15:00 AM
Thanks, Lin. I don’t know if you call them the same in the U.S. but this was based on a very old shaggy dog story, which in its original form, went on and on and on (which is the main requirement of all good shaggy dog stories). I’m glad you enjoyed my abridged version. Terry
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

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