Best Clapped Poems
Laughing, dancing, having the time of her life,
Faerie Fun went from mushroom house to toadstool cottage,
Spreading joy,
Playing with everyone
In a kind and pleasant way.
There was going to be no sadness
In Faerie Forest today if she could help it.
It is up to me, she said.
I am the catalyst for happiness today.
She ate breakfast with the Nymph family,
And they laughed about silly stuff,
But no people.
She watched Lila Leprechaun’s Lilliput dance,
And she clapped and clapped while
Mama Leprechaun took care of the
Unhappy baby. Baby calm. All is well.
Faerie Fun was soon skipping
Up the walk to the most challenging
House of all.
Change your attitude! She warned herself.
Change your attitude!
Her jaw was clamped tightly shut now, and she
Was already filled with dread.
Pixie Dust! Her internal voice yelled. NOW!
The sparkly particles surrounded her, and settled down all over her, calming her instantly, and
Changing her attitude from not-so-great to wonderful.
Before she left Grump-Eater’s house, he gave her a long, lingering hug. No one gets me like you, he said.
Progress at last.
Sometimes it is simply a matter of us changing our attitude.
It was a beautiful sunny morning so quiet and so still
As Sir Tom's Marmite army, charged up Tastebud hill
Queen Debs vast Vegemite army could see them coming
Many were overcome with sheer terror, and started running.
Debs Veggie army held their ground firing shell after shell
The Marmite army pushed forward, and unleashed hell
There were heavy losses on both sides, jars were everywhere
Then in flew the Marmite air force and attacked from the air
The small Marmite army were at first driven back
But then they launched a devastating, counter attack
The Veggie army had no stomach for such a long fight
And they all happily surrendered to the army of Marmite.
Veggie supporters in the streets were all jostled and jeered
Whilst the Victorious Marmite army were clapped and cheered
Vegemite lovers the world over were now running quite scared
And were all in safe hiding places, until a peace was declared.
Now everyone the world over can enjoy the great taste
Not settling for something, that tastes like clinical waste
So when you open the black jar with the bright yellow lid
Remember Sir Tom's army and great things that they did.
Written 4th January 2022
Dedicated to Deb, the Queen of the kingdom of Vegemite.
SEBASTIAN BECK
The trapeze artist Sebastian Beck
His safety harness he forgot to check
Didn't notice it had snapped
Below all the crowd clapped
But in mid-flight he fell breaking his neck...
SIR NICHOLAS
The trophy hunter Sir Nicholas Hyde
Because of him many animals died
One day his gun jammed
He said I'll be damned
Last seen running for his life from a pride...
CHRISTOPHER SNODGRASS
A mean joker called Christopher Snodgrass
Liked to play jokes on his friends that were crass
They agreed revenge was due
On his toilet seat smeared glue
When he stood it took the skin off his a.s.s...
OLD SPARKY
A sadistic killer called Billy T. Clair
As a trophy cut off his victims hair
But one did not die
Vowed she'd see him fry
She got her wish when he went to the chair...
STALE AIR
Between floors at the gallery of art
A lift got stuck and the doors wouldn't part
The air was rancid as hell
And the trapped folk smelt a smell
Someone discreetly had let off a fart...
Written 1st March 2020.
free speech is not to say what you think ~ said the blind man with a wry wink
the deaf guy smiled as if it was wise ~ he could do morse code with his eyes
a dumb man clapped sending out shockwaves ~ no idea we’re mortal slaves
the mind reader thought he could see through ~ in truth neither he has a clue
By
David Kavanagh
When the news is hard to handle and it’s difficult to cope
We like to take a long walk…and rediscover hope.
Today’s walk was along the shoreline and in the salty morning air
just as we had hoped…hope was waiting there.
As we walked along the beach early before arrival of the crowds
we found hope that cloudy morning in the sun peeking through the clouds.
We found hope in the faithfulness of the waves and the rolling of the seas
In the confidence of the gulls as they floated on the breeze.
We found hope in a couple holding hands..the woman pregnant…hope within her womb
In baby birds learning how to catch fish and in buds on flowers about to bloom.
Then up ahead we saw something we hadn’t seen on this beach before
A baby girl and a puppy…playing together along the shore.
The puppy was darting back and forth her tail wagging to and fro
The baby girl laughed and clapped her hands…and begged her mom to let her go.
We watched them as they played…as they danced together for a while
The longer we stayed, the more we watched…the broader was our smile.
Yes, after our walk together this morning we found it easier to cope…
for strewn along our path we found so many instances of hope.
And we were reminded when we open up our hearts
as we stop to survey our domain….
all the troubles of the world seem to fade away…
and only beauty and hope remain.
Walk with me in the dank moonlight
through the chill, rising, storm
so we can grasp the majesty
of Dullahan still born.
Without heads his horse and he ride
across the countryside
His head in hand they roam the land
none live where he abides.
A rush of blood, a gory spree
will take the sight of man,
then off they gallop wild and free
Dullahan, head in hand.
Here’s hoping he don’t call your name
for that would be worse by far
your soul would flee and fly with he
a soul as black as tar.
Carry your gold for I am told
this alone does he fear
and we can watch as he rides by
come give us a kiss now, me dear.
The winsome lass took his strong hand
and down the lane they walked
as in the distance hedgerows fired
and hooves clapped as they talked.
The sound drew near, a gate flew wide
the lassie shrieked and ran
so only her randy lad was
taken by Dullahan.
So, don’t think to woo by moonlight
near the shore in Galway
Dullahan hunts with cruel sight
each wayward soul a stray.
*While no-one knows for certain how the Dullahan originated, it is thought that he is the embodiment of the Celtic fertility god, Crom Dubh, who was worshiped by an ancient king of Ireland, Tighermas. Each year, Tighermas sacrificed humans to Crom Dubh, and the usual method was decapitation. The worship of Crom Dubh ended in the sixth century, when Christianity came to Ireland.
* music in About the Poem
Poet: D. Guzzi
Invite of the trendy crowd,
yearning for acclaim,
a common braggart read aloud,
to glean synthetic fame.
The fellow even took a bow
when some had stood and clapped
The rest of them were in the know;
so mostly they just napped.
Elsewhere in a lonely hut,
near death’s parting knell,
doors and windows firmly shut,
a poet bids farewell.
Painfully she starts to write,
and pens a lovely score,
her phantom fans in sheer delight,
erupt in silent roar.
2nd Place, Put Your Best Rhyme Forward, Just That Archaic Poet
THE PSYCHEDELIC STEW
We loved to drive out through the hills
Where landscapes are so green,
And always sought the smell of hay
That seemed so fresh and clean.
We'd rent a cosy cottage there
Around that time each year,
The days and nights were magical
And life was full of cheer.
That night we planned a simple tea
A good old country stew,
With fresh grown mushrooms we had picked
As 'round the place they grew.
Those mushrooms seemed much larger then
The ones we'd norm'lly find,
But in they went with all the rest,
We really did not mind.
Our stew was just the best we'd had
On that we did agree,
Then sitting back and quite content
Enjoyed a cup of tea.
When suddenly, in front of us,
Our kitchen came to life
With antics never seen before;
Sure terrified my wife.
She sat and watched with fear filled eyes
For both her knife and fork,
Were standing up and quite erect
And both of them could walk.
The kitchen curtains did a jig
And plates flew 'round the room,
Our mop then left its corner spot
To line dance with the broom.
Old teapot sang and clapped its hands,
The tea cups joined in too.
My mind it boggled at the sight
and wondered what to do.
I grabbed the phone and dialled for help
That soon was on its way;
Though not before the pots and pans
Had all began to play.
Poor doctor tried to calm us down
Enquiring of our plight.
We mentioned what had taken place,
The horrors of that night.
He summed up what had taken place,
The answer he now knew,
We'd eaten mushrooms which produced,
A psychedelic stew.
I was a happy little water droplet
Playing in a cloud
Until lightning struck
And thunder clapped loud
Stopping all my mirth
Dropping me to earth
Joining many others
Of my sisters and brothers
Bobbing wild and rampant
In a surging torrent
Towards a dam
Causing quite a jam
In a pipe so black
With no way back
Chlorinated pure
Like I’ve never been before
Jailed in a tray
With cells all the way
Frozen in a cube until used
Dropped into whisky
Making me quite frisky
To the sound of “Cheers”
I disappeared
Down a gullet to a stomach
Mushed to and fro
Told to go
To a loo full of poo
Down a sewer full of mice
That really was not nice
Finally to the sea
Where I was free
To have some fun
Floating in the sun.
Feeling emancipated
Zap!. Evaporated
Into a happy little water droplet
Playing in a cloud
Hoping not to hear the thunder clapping loud.
Unlike the others in my family,
I rarely let emotions take control.
A temper tantrum they'd not see from me.
The "cool" one I was called. It's still my role.
I rarely get choked up by anything.
As one well-balanced, rarely ever do
I feel depressed, jealous, unforgiving
or guilty! (I don't sit around and stew).
I guess I see betrayal as a sin
that I abhor, for in my youth one day,
my best friend laid a trap and I fell in,
but it was not a too nice joke to play!
My best friend lured me on the telephone
to say the way I felt about Margo -
a girl whose reputation was well-known
as "bad girl," and she also was my foe.
This bad girl had a crush on the same guy
I liked, and he was my best friend's brother.
For his attention both Margo and I
would vie, so we didn't like each other!
My best friend had two phone lines. On the end
of one of them, she let my enemy
then listen in on me as my best friend
was getting my confessions out of me!
Dang Margo heard them all! And I saw red.
I slammed the phone down, and then down the street
I marched to my friend's house. I felt no dread.
But great hurt filled me. I would not retreat!
I pounded on my friend's door righteously
because I'd felt as if I had been slapped.
My mom, unused to such display from me,
was so impressed, when I got home, she clapped!
Nov 30, 2017
End Note: Margo got pregnant right out of junior high and
had to marry Danny. They were divorced a few years later!
#68. MOON WINK
I took a trip for fun,
between the Earth and Sun,
slid quietly between,
the star sun's scarlet sheen,
from its radiant show,
and in it's earthly glow.
I cast misty shadows,
on planet's green meadows,
and people took up hands,
like stretchy rubber bands,
to greet me with great joy,
like a new kite or toy.
Metallic ships went by,
with sunbursts on the fly,
between planet and star,
I'm incredibly far,
I’m always just right here,
with the sun over there.
Your sable shades cloaked earthly eyes,
I heard the awe of your surprise,
I felt a popularity,
of power all had come to see,
I'd be like the great Houdini,
hide the sun and make it teeny.
I blocked the amber sun from view,
and cast dark shadows over you,
a coyote barked a gentle cough,
and Venus slid her blanket off,
the crickets sang, but not for long,
the Sun insisted, I was wrong.
Then out it came with dazzled light,
a Sun cracked smile of spewing fright,
a cheshire grin of searing heat,
red with anger and blind conceit,
he hid from me all Earth's creatures,
with fuzzy dim, blue-green features.
Then, I saw you'd all gone,
with the Sun turned back on,
you loud creatures all clapped,
with my next route well mapped,
for the light had returned,
and my dark magic spurned,
as the lesser soft light,
when you seek me at night.
Then you said you were done,
with your star studded fun,
with cameras and scopes,
and space colored hopes,
a quick jump to that car,
you lost me and the star.
On a soft summer night,
with gold glints of starlight,
look me full in the face,
as I beam from my place,
then, wave long as you think,
what I hid in a wink.
-Edlynn Nau
© August 25, 2017
There was a line at the loo
poor pups didn't know what to do
each clapped his four paws
with rousing applause
when Frenchy finished his poo!
There once was a Chick from the sea
whose two buxom breasts were set free.
Twin seaweed straps snapped
as thunder clouds clapped
and the sailors drown ecstatically.
It's twenty twenty there is a new threat
A virus with no cure as yet.
Its a pandemic, its all around.
An antibody needs to be found.
Globally politicians and proffesionals have aired.
A lockdowns required people are scared.
The advice that been given is very sound.
Stay at home save your pound.
No save lives is what it's about.
For goodness sake don't go out.
Thousands of people have sadly died.
More to come scientists confide.
No cure at present we must isolate
Joe public's lives are in a state
Schools being closed indefinitely.
What to do with the children, 'Help me!!'
Exercise daily but only once a day
The kids just want to go out and play
Daily shopping is frowned upon
All hand cleaner and toilet rolls have gone
People panic buying what's so wrong
Vulnerable people can't be out too long
Go to work if you can
Or work from home like I am
Stay at home with your family
Protect them from this uncertainty
The emergency services are doing us proud.
I hope you all clapped really loud
Community groups have stepped up too
They are here to help me and you.
So please everyone listen to the advice
Stay at home or throw the dice
It's not just you that will be hurt
It's others around you that's a cert.
Zestful
Beneath a weeping willow tree
Shielded by its canopy of leaf
Two lovers found sweet serenity
Zestful to share love in ecstasy.
Sadly a vicious storm was brewing
Both their zestful hearts began stewing
Thunder clapped and lightning struck the tree
The sweethearts too, they died instantly.
Forlorn the couple took off in flight
Into the darkness of sky at night
Flying to unknown territory
To dwell in everlasting glory.
The pair were eventually found
They’d decayed into the underground
Their loving souls live on tenderly
Entwined in heaven's grace zestfully.
The tree recovered its heart still beats
Often sadly the willow tree weeps
Never before in its history
Has it known such zestful tragedy.
*+*+*+*
12th May 2023
Writing Challenge - 'Z' Words Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Constance La France
Word choice no.10 - Zestful