There was a young man who knew when
yet likes the sound of the name Big Ben
with a certain ring to it which appeals
as a bell it will sell well he feels
and the knell wake the dead once again
A flying house! I have never seen such a sight!
This was said from the east, the north, the south and the right.
It’s bats in the belfry! A Halloween expert said as he looked in the sky.
I watched the house swoop almost to my head as it flew on by.
I asked a slug
“tell me of beauty”
He passed me a slimy smile
And sped away.
Who would trust a Ferret
With the family jewels?
Do they make tiny Peloton wheels
My hamster is getting fat.
Why is the Mantis praying
And what is it praying for?
Do fat house cats envy the mouse’s freedom?
When a snail gets sick
Does he become a shell of his old self?
She has a certificate to document
Her pet rock is a “Comfort Stone”
Joey B gets little respect because he’s forgotten
where the bodies are buried.
Bats in the belfry
Frequent church goers
8/8/2023
The bats in the belfry were taking a selfie
Their costumes were super, for daddy was wealthy
But children sized bats made the pastor unhealthy
And yet his departure was still rather stealthy
The fancy dress shop man has now got a shelf free
He had three bat costumes but doubted he’d sell three
’til someone walked in and said, Sir can you tell me
If these are kid’s sizes? He said they might well be
The man said please wrap them and when they’re done, bell me
And have you got any fake blood you can sell me
The loan of a very long ladder would help me
And that’s why there’s three quite large bats in the belfry
17 October 2021
For Contest: Halloween monorhyme
Sponsor: Caren Krutsinger
have you seen nothing and head the sound
did your mind do an illusory prank?
have you felt a touch from no one around
have you considered yourself just to be an old crank?
have you forgotten some memories of your ‘hey days’
watched some westerns and thought you were there?
saw the ocean in the distance which you became amazed
when you saw the tall ships passing by and heard the fanfare?
did the pigeons in the park eat up all of your bread crumbs
then followed you home and messed up your lawn
when you hear a band do you enjoy the big drums
or is that only the national anthem just before dawn?
does your doctor tell you that there is nothing wrong
but you feel absent minded when your train of thought derailed?
would a few doses of Geritol make you lively and strong
and show the world you’re a mighty but flighty man unveiled.
Like the hordes of bats which surround
the belfry of our old clock tower
wild images scurry around
pressing my mind without referee.
When the moon and stars appear,
illuminating sea and sand,
sights unseen which ears can hear -
my incessant tongue may set free.
written July 2016
I promised myself - no quatrains this year
so I broke the rules.
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