Best Donovan Poems
There was talk about the nuclear bomb
There was a war going on in Vietnam
It was on the news, the drummers were drumming
Look out America, the British are coming
We couldn't wait to turn our radios on
To hear Paul and Ringo, George and John
What could make you feel more alive
Than to rise in the morning to the Dave Clark Five
To be part of it was so much fun
With Eric and "The House of the Rising Sun"
Music sent from heaven above
Peter and Gordon "A World Without Love"
There was Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits sound
While Petula Clark took us all "Downtown"
The country went wild when Donovan hit the stage
Tom Jones and Dusty Springfield were part of the rage
Oh Lord one day please take me back
To hear Marianne Faithful and Cilla Black
The Rolling Stones conquered every city
And Manfred Mann sang "Do Wah Diddy"
The Kinks and Troggs took us for a whirl
The New Seekers sang about "Georgy Girl"
British fashion was everywhere
And the Zombies told us "She's Not There"
Now James bond was doing some super spying
Gerry said, "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying"
Freddie and the Dreamers sang "I'm Telling You Now"
The British had conquered America somehow
The Searchers, The Hollies, meaningful words
Chad and Jeremy, don't forget the Yardbirds
If there was a way we could do it again
We'd have another invasion like we did back then.
If you weren't there, it might be hard to understand. The music had meaning
with political statements and social statements written between the lines. the
young were actively involved and the apathy that exists now was hard to find. The
fun music was fun music and the message music set a tone for a generation. It
was a great time to be growing up in spite of the turmoil in the world, a world we
thought we all could change. Times change, sometimes not for the better.
Residue
Wrapped in cellophane and ribbon
mocking burned down evergreens
Screaming at the shadowed walls
as nightmares spurn your toxic dreams
Lurking near the bottles filled with
endless empty molten fears
Dampening the diapers as a
mother cries her countless tears
Broken weave of tattered sleeve behind the darkness to believe
That midnight forms what we conceive in moments cast to only grieve
We’ll go dancing nightly
in the attic
while the moon is rising
in the sky
If I’m too drunk tell me,
I’m so scared your little
head will come off
in my hands
What the heck did you expect for just a speck, a tiny fleck
Now hit the deck you wretched wreck as long ago we did suspect
Counting money residue on
blackened smoldered fingernails
As billion dollar babies sing
in toothless whining rancid wails
Toddlers of the devil’s creed wear
shiny plastic floating eyes
Now staring at you while you sleep
these monsters gather in disguise
This poem was inspired by one of my favorite songs,
Alice Cooper’s “Billion Dollar Babies”
The italicized lines are lyrics from that song. Here is a link to the song: https://youtu.be/6sD8sO0B97I
And in case you didn’t know, the other voice you’ll hear singing on the song is Donovan (Mellow Yellow)
Yes, later on
we will dance
and perhaps
see stars overhead
Does it matter
That we sing here on earth?
I think it does!
Yes, and the lights from over the bridge
are shining
as they have been shining for the past one hundred years
If we can "catch the Wind" as Donovan put it
we will feel safe
and not sorry
Ready to deal with
Whatever the future has in store for us
Me: I’m sorry, I didn’t catch you name
Him:Yellow, but my friends call me Yell
Me: Say again? I’m somewhat hearing impaired
Him: Yellow!! But my friends call me Yell!!
Me: There’s certainly no need to YELL at me sir
Him: Son of a…I said Yellow!! But my friends ca...
Me: Ahh, I see, so you’re a yellow fellow then?
Him: Okay whatever, yeah, I’m a yellow fellow
Me: Well, there’s nothing at all to be afraid of sir
Him: You givin’ me a BAD case of the red-ass here!
Me: A red Ass? Might I suggest that you dye it y...
Him:You and me are fixin’ to visit the hospital bud!
Me: Well, I’m certainly no doctor but it could be jaundice
Him:You’re gonna NEED a doctor, you yellow bellied…
Me: Sir, I'm certain that my abdomen is flesh toned, see?
Him: Oh lordy me! Pull your FREEKIN’ shirt back d....
Me: By the way, do you remember that song Mellow Yel…
Him: (Slam-Bam-Ooof!!)---Pretty sure its Donovan, right?
Me: No hir, my name ih NOH Donovan, ih’s Him Ryerson
Him: Gonna make me do this AGAIN? (more slam-bam-ooof)
Me: Excuse me hir, it heems I’ve fallen and cannoh geh up
Him: Call Life Alert and tell them you need a dentist...
* Edited and extended version of a previous post
Dedicated to the VERY talented poet Monterey Sirak whose contest this poem placed in...Thanks Monterey!
Put down the guns, lay down the knives
We are losing too many of our young lives,
The violence that you’re watching on TV
That is what’s happening, it’s our reality.
The death count’s rising, what are we going to do?
The Police need your help if they are to help you;
Are we going to wait until it comes to our door?
Or are we going to stand up and say “no more!”
We’re living like prisoners locked behind bars
A false sense of security as we run to our cars,
This is not the way for our people to live
Something must be done, something’s got to give.
All day long a mother sits and moans
Another senseless killing hits too close to home,
Johnny’s in school you’d think he would be safe
But this too has become just another violent place.
Our justice system has failed us once again
A murderer is on the street, a family’s in pain,
Another clever lawyer has earned his pay day
The children are now afraid to go out and play.
We run the risk of losing an entire generation
While damning the future of this great nation,
We must all be ready to stand up and fight
Because what is happening is just not right.
© 2016 Donovan T. Turnquest
I am sitting in my cell staring at the walls
Wondering why I didn’t see the pitfalls,
My Mama always told me; “my son beware”
When I close my eyes her words I still hear.
I thought I was the king, sitting on the blocks
I got much respect as I sold my rocks,
Had money in my pocket and clothes to wear
I never thought I would end up sitting in here.
The girls, I used to have them by the score
Now that I’m here I don’t see them anymore,
While the paper flowed they got their share
Now I realize they didn’t really, really care.
The boys in the hood they’re still living large
I took the fall and I alone faced the charge,
My time’s soon up, to that life I won’t return
It is tough in here, my lesson I have learned.
I’m treated like an animal locked in a cage
Inside of me is an uncontrollable rage,
The things I did I know they were wrong
I think of you Mama and I become strong.
The heat is unbearable, the nights are cold
Prison is no place for a man to grow old,
All around me I see misery and strife
Being locked up in here is a waste of my life.
I am counting the days until I am set free
I have no friends, there is only me,
I rise at dawn and I work until night
When I get out I will live my life right.
I miss you, Mama, and that’s the worst part
I know that I must have broken your heart,
All I can do now is sit and wait
Until I can walk through freedom’s gate.
© 2016 Donovan T. Turnquest
Down the bottom of the garden, amongst your vegetable patch
my entry to this world, from a larvae did I hatch, no bigger than a tip on a match.
To start to grow, I need some food, don't think me crude
I'm not meanin' to be rude, come on share please you prude.
I'm on a hunt for your lettuce leave, should've used a plastic sleeve
Radichio's what I thirst and crave, now's a time to be brave
had too many a close shave, but I'm not gonna behave
I'm a cheeky caterpillar, with a hungry tum, so I need a filler
Hey, you're a vegetarian not a killer, or a bloodspiller.
My colourings inspire, like words from the bard
it can make camouflage so very hard, which means I'm nearly always on guard.
If I'm bright and colourful now, wait and see
gonna be a big transformation in me
(after a few months of grazing, I undergo a process so stunningly amazing)
everyone will point and say ain't it pretty
I create a wonderful Chrysallis, a beautiful sight is this
and I emerge, a real sight to witness!
I'm only here for a very short time
best be quick to describe me, in glorious rhyme
you'll be speechless, with a real dropped jaw
my pretty patterns, you won't find any flaw
vivid colours swirl, you truly can't ignore
the way I flutter and glide, with a cloudlike grace
can touch a smile to even the stoniest face.
If you want a glimpse of sheer beauty
hey my friend, look no further than me
I am painted by a brushstroke of Divinity!
As my old mate Donovan once said with a grin;)
"Caterpillar sheds his skin, to find the butterfly within"!!
©John-Ovan.P.Hull
Beautiful Siren from a distant sea
Doctor Donovan wrote of their Mastery
Aquatic, seduction enchants me…
Merman disguised the Light in his eyes
Sang the songs that a heart finds nice
Extending a hand he unraveled his web
And my sister was there after her death
“Wana ride?” was the question he mimed
And I, tempted by his suggestive rhyme
Never hesitated, to enter his mind.
Past the coffee stained collar, I climbed.
Tracing races and faces in the wind
One thousand and One nights I’d spend
Immortal and naked on the ocean
Towers of power in the robes of men
Lighting the coast to see sailors home
Nixie was the name my mother mentioned
And Trixie was the dame
...who bore little attention
The Merrow of the story, is in me.
.... The Scotch is vertical, and I’m a She.Alba….
Merlin, can you see the sight in my eYes?
Give me a call, Dad, just pick up the phone
Give me a call, Dad, I’m so all alone;
Mom’s trying hard she’s doing her best
We need your help, Dad, we’re living on less.
Mom said she loved you, she loved you a lot
But you soon left after you got what you got;
Well I’m here, Dad, and I am looking like you
Help us out, Dad, just do what you can do.
I wish you were here, Dad, to take me to the park
To keep us safe when the days go dark;
We need your help, Dad, things are getting real bad
The rent man came and took all that Mom had.
I’m getting older, Dad, my birthdays come and go
Sometimes I wonder if the date you even know;
Surprise me, Dad, don’t allow me to fall
Make me believe I wasn’t just a booty call.
My friend at school, he raves about his Dad
I listen to him and it kind of makes me sad;
I need you here, Dad, to teach me all you can
About the things I need to do to make me a man.
I am graduating, Dad, and I wish you were here
Mom’s real proud, I saw her shed a tear;
You’d be proud, Dad, of the things I’ve done
It should have been two but I just had one.
Dad, I am all grown up but I am still missing you
I promised my son what you did I wouldn’t do;
He’ll have the life that I wish that I had
I’m going to be there; I am going to be his Dad.
© 2016 Donovan T. Turnquest
I’m sorry, I didn’t catch you name
‘Yellow, but my friends call me Yell”
Say again? I didn’t quite hear you
“Yellow!! But my friends call me Yell!!”
There’s certainly no need to yell at me sir
“Sh-t…I said Yellow!! But my friends call”…
Ahh, I see, so you’re a yellow fellow then?
“Okay whatever, yeah, I’m a yellow fellow”
Well, there’s nothing at all to be afraid of sir
“You givin’ me a SEVERE case of the red ass here!”
A red donkey? Might I suggest a paint job?
“You and me are fixin’ to visit the hospital bud”
Well, I’m certainly no doctor but it could be jaundice
“You’re fixin, to NEED a doctor, you yellow bellied”…
By the way, do you remember that song Mellow Yel…
(Slam-bam-ooof)-----“Yep, Donovan did it"...
Date written: 12/1/2014
Submitted for: Shadow Hamilton's contest
Billy Ray Cyrus sings of a state of mind
Donovan of periwinkle shells
The Bionaut's of streams aquamarine
Paul McCarty rocked about those bells
Carole King about a royal hue
Frank Sinatra croons of sapphire skies
Fleetwood Mac has album Cerulean
Brian Wilson cries of shades of eyes
Blu Cantrell of cobalt powder
Big Moe has lyrics about teal green
Double Trouble turquoise teardrops
Jake Bugg beautiful indigo horizons
July 15, 2016
Brevity in Blue Contest by Dale Gregory Cozart
Fifth Place
"Allah, kiss me once more
Fill me with song."
-Donovan
Allah my bugs, Allah my pimples
You don't know what lurks in my dimples
Oh boy, when you kiss me
Oh joy, you get a weird disease
That all the world will see.
Allah my dogs, Allah my kittens
You don't know where I've been a-spittin'
Oh boy, to Hell and gone
Oh joy, at a Furry Con
Where you're the cat for me.
Allah my gloves, Allah my mittens
You don't know by whom I'm smitten
Oh boy, could it be you
Oh joy, it's a heady brew
I think that you'll agree.
They sing; they bring
That Beatle-fab scream
Of love-change-spring --
New, quick-beat theme.
A change like Revolver.
My heart's Rubber Soul,
That gear autumn solver
I won with hand-in-bowl.
Predecessors who inspired:
Richard, Storm and Berry;
Presley and Dylan (wired);
Perkins and Donovan (very).
Indian, vaudeville, ragtime:
Music-videos are the future.
In Pepperland awash in rhyme,
This "All Together Now" looper....
https://youtu.be/2FLde6Shxq8
September 2, 2016
Rock 'n Roll Rhyme Fest - Poetry Contest
Afternoon Delight!
Lookin’ forward to a little afternoon delight
Turn! Turn! Turn!
There is a season turn, turn, turn
A time to every purpose under heaven
A time for neck rub, a time for kiss, a time to unfold 70’s clock radio music
Peter, Paul and Mary
88.7
Bob Dylan, Donovan, Neil Young
A time to borrow propane tank next door
A time to swim in ocean of stars
A time to Yale at Jose – the gardener
A time to country
two left feet who never promise a rose garden
A time for Chopin piano concerto along with a time for COVID models
A time for Mahjong and Gin rummy
Without winning or losing
Whopping Leap of faith: A time of homemade haircut
A time for Prosecco and strawberries; a time for Instacart
A time to Mystic Hills; a time to Top of the World
Oh, my beloved lemon thief
A time to dream –
grateful dreams – tasty dreams – To Have and Have Not dreams
Today and always
The greatest radio station in the world!!
Beatles Tom Jones Stones Cuff Links
Tom Jones
Hendrix Strawberry Alarm Clock Tommy James and the Shondells
Bob Dylan
Merrilee Rush Vanilla Fudge Neil Diamond Lobo
Fifth Dimension
Monkees Iron Butterfly Archies
Who Eagles Fleetwood Mac
Jethro Tull Sarah McLachlan Steppenwolf Bob Dylan
Troggs
Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood Elvis Peter and Gordon Paul Revere @
the Raiders
Stones Commodores Lovin Spoonfull Lovin Spoonfull
Supreams Doors
Outsiders Grassroots Partridge Family Petulia Clarke
Natalie Merchant
CSNY Looking Glass CSNY Led Zep Association
Led Zep Cat Stevens Friend and Lover
Simon and Garfunkle Donovan Association Beatles
Tommy roe 3 Jacks and a Jill
Scott Mckensie
Paul Revere and the Raiders Cowsills
The People
graydye The GOD Poet 4-22-10