Best Oz. Poems
My work is identity
The axe in my hand
No blisters to bother me
As for years I just stand
The weeds and the flowers
Call me back down to earth
The brown rust confuses
Destroys my self-worth
The tears and the rain
Have frozen me here
It could be forever
At least that is my fear
But then I hear singing
And love with a twirl
There's something of beauty
This dog and this girl
She stops to acknowledge
Where my work is so stale
I am rescued completely
My Dorothy Gale
We converse, no lips moving
I creak and I groan
She talks of a journey
To get herself home
I determine to help her
As she's helping me
We walk and we talk
It feels good to be free
It's strange but I know that
She strives for the best
I feel something beating
Once again in my chest
Not sure where we're going
When this journey will end
But I feel like I love her
This newly found friend
Haiku Princess
I Bow to your pen
"Skat", Are you an Angel?
Inspiration the Poem - Haiku Rally ( 11/16/2011 )
Dedicated to "Scat - Oz" Respectfully Flipper
Author's note - I think this is a Question-Ku
4-5-6. Thank-you " Scat"
I knew a land not far from here
where stories kissed goodnight
- a land like Oz before the storm
when all was black and white.
Yet now as ruby tinted mists
add colour to that time
- a distant land of spires and farms
awakes as church bells chime.
I see a land beyond the clouds
where people stop to talk
- a land of blue remembered hills
where poets often walk.
I see a land from way up high
where children still believe
- a land of snow where brass bands play
on every Christmas Eve.
Those happy highways where I went
had homes with open doors
- and lemon drops and chimney tops
in worlds that had no wars.
The scarecrows head is full of straw
So his thinking is really poor
With an empty head
He has to be led
Maybe a brain would even the score.
Now the Tin man was really smart
Even though he was falling apart
He was off to Oz
Just because
What he needed was a heart.
Then the Lion put on a great act
Jumping from a bush to attack
Pretending he was brave
But there was no way
For he was just a pussycat.
Now it was off to the land of Oz
Hoping to meet the wonderland boss
When asked where you going
They said without knowing
To see a wizard that never was.
So off down the yellow brick road
Happily skipping they would go
Having travelled so far
Wishing upon a star
Led by Dorothy and little Toto.
Even though their friendship had grown
Still dear Dorothy felt so alone
With a tear in her eye
She bid them goodbye
For there was no place like home.
It's raining mud in Kansas,
200 miles an hour wind-hammers
broke Kentucky's heart.
Good people rush to help,
poets watch,
dogs bark
reporters report.
In the days of the Delta variants
children are left out in the cold
to eat lunch -
it's for their own good.
Meanwhile an iron gauntlet
grips the neck of the Republic
for its own good,
but it's all bad
and there is still no vaccine
for stupid.
She yelled, bring the girl and the little dog too!
My blood ran cold, wondering what she would do.
I was brought to her castle many years ago.
Ensuring my own kin I would never know.
We all grumbled about it, but we took off anyway.
To cross this old bat would not pay off any day.
My friend Chet looked at me and simply rolled his eyes.
Then we were up in the air, flying high in the skies.
And the little dog too, Chet said, with his mouth.
I laughed at his joke, as we flew to the south.
I telepathed to Toto – run dog, run far away,
But the dog knew Dorothy would get him the very next day.
So I snatched up that adorable black puppy, after walking back and forth.
Chet threw down a bunch of straw from the scarecrow, and we headed back up north.
I brought in my live prize, all wiggly and happy, not a bit blue.
That old witch did not even say thanks, having no manners through and through.
So the next day when she got melted I was the first flying monkey to cheer.
Chet laughed, and Sam snorted, and we took off to find our relatives, dear.
Written 11-02-2018 Contest: Off To See The Wizard
Sponsor: Charles Messina
lazy lips in tangle with A I
breathing secrets
I wonder why
why not
organize your thoughts, o scatterbrain
don’t be
a brain full of hay
eventual outcome -
the crows will pick your brain
s$it for brains
forgive my insane outburst
but the storm’s a-coming
a storm of flying monkeys
a witch to boot
the only way to beat the rap
is to hammer home
don’t
you ain’t fool’n no one
you’re a fool yourself
the witch has turned over
the hourglass
none of Dorothy’s friends
are clamouring to save you
they are not in pieces
but at rest
they’re courage
came when doing the right thing
jumping through glass, falling asleep
the witch had fear and poison on her side
but Dorothy was good and kind
she scolded the wrong, bucketed the witch
exposed the lie behind the curtain
then the runaway went back home
home sweet home
where the poet’s heart
brains and courage
reside
no thoughts like Scarecrow
no heart to break like Tinman
no courage like Lion
Saw a stage play of the WIZARD OF OZ
At our local theatre, didn't expect it, I was in awe
Extremely well done
So enjoyable and fun
My hat is off to these performers and a big hurrah
© Jack Ellison 2016
In Oz most things had a glitch:
Like bricks from red to yellow did switch;
- Monkey things
- with flyin’ wings;
And ... the water’s bad – ask the witch!
I've had several poets ask who I'd have cast in the roles of characters, so if no one is willing to play along, OR allowed to... I'll still share my thoughts. Since I limited the parts to 3 per character, please know that some of you would've been added to this list, but I didn't want to break my own rule.
TOTO, PULL BACK THE CURTAIN!!!
Dorothy - Tania, Deb M., Anaya
Tin Man - Sheriff K, David K, Mike G (because they are the law in Milton Creek)
Scarecrow- Terry Flood (because of his cover photo and his sense of humor)
Cowardly Lion - I'll just call BS for this one
Wicked Witch - There are 3, but they'd probably try to set me on fire
Glenda-Good Witch - FJ Thomas, Lin Lane, Susan Ashley (perfect candidates)
The Wizard - Tom Cunningham, John Watt, Mo McG (why not a wise woman?)
Uncle Henry - Harry Horseman, Frederic Parker, John Gondolf
Aunty Em- Belle, Paula G., Eve
Munchkins - I thought I'd get volunteers for this role
Toto- Caren K...my only choice because she's as adorable as the little pup
I see no harm in posting this list
despite the one who raised a fist.
If anyone whose name I've used
feels terribly offended or abused,
just let me know and I'll remove it.
Make your own list. Use your wit. (I'd like to see yours, too)
Thanks to those who asked that I post the cast of players.
Dorothy and Toto went skipping
the Yellow Brick Road(she was tripping).
She had just smoked a joint--
getting high was the point--
and now she was bent on some stripping.
She thought that old scarecrow looked easy
(he'd be a good score easy-peasy).
She tripped on her slippers,
her gingham went rippers,
the scarecrow asked, “Up for a threesy?”
Now Dorothy said, “You've got nerve.
My dog is off limits, you perv!
Plus you see I'm a mess
with torn gingham, no less.
I don't seem to have the same verve.”
She managed to rise from the bricks.
Oh great, she thought. Lost in the sticks!
And her new ruby pumps
had just taken some lumps.
I hope Oz does a **** shoe fix.
“I've got a head bump from the twister,
so keep a good distance there, Mister.
My Toto's a killer,
he bite off your tiller
and all you'll have left is a blister.”
Dale Gregory Cozart
"They got it wrong", tin man said with a sigh
"Ten should be spelled with and e, not an I,"
"So here's a new plan,"
"Hook up with Ten man"
"On my bucket list you're very high!"
Pat Adams
Poor tin man’s willy was rusty
When aroused he’s feeling quite lusty
Dot gives him a greasing
His passion’s unceasing
Especially as Dot is so busty
Jan Allison
Feel free to join in. Soup mail me. More stanzas coming later.
My last love wasn’t sent from above
but above my head he’ll stay
while I weep every day.
My heart and his weren’t meant
to be together
although he holds mine in a tether.
I’d tear out my hair if I thought he’d care
but I just brush it all away
though in my hair he’ll stay.
Too young for an old soul like me
neither here nor there,
it’s all up in the air.
I’ll dream of him again tonight
when my soul takes flight
to Oz where I’ll spend the night.
Oz,
Where the moon is high
and lights the way
across an ocean of gray.
Where my last love lives
and breathes
and never leaves.
By: Carole O’Terry Duet
Copyright: 11/17/2018
“All Rights Reserved”
Tribute
You are a wonderful human being and a man of many talents Jack Ellison for all your many achievements.
Age is only number - your charismatic persona and optimism shines through your poems.
I’m honored to be your friend. Thanks for your poem ‘An Aussie Sweetie’ and for the Laughs.
Weather forecast Sydney Bondi Beach tomorrow…
Hot, Sunny with a ‘slight swell’.
So still on in front of the Bondi Beach Pavilion tomorrow?
Oops! I hope I don’t get you into trouble with this one!
Enjoy our musical greeting from the late and great Aussie - Slim Dusty in true Oz style.
Such a wealth of talent this Cool guy Jack
Lives in freezing temperatures and that’s a fact
Dreams of a hot Aussie beach to re-enact
In the Land Down Under his ardour asunder
He pops a popper to celebrate the wonder
Of ‘Knockers’ galore and for sure naught a lack
Oh Glorious Days! His libido is back
A song by Slim Dusty ‘G'day G'day’ – inspired by the great ‘land down under’ - Australia
Our heroine Dorothy is caught up in a storm,
She looks around as she lands, unbeknown will transform
Children’s dreams in an adventurous way,
With her new friends, let’s say hurray,
Magic shoes travel The Yellow Brick Road, not the norm.
They discovered the Wizard Of Oz was human, a con,
But gave Scarecrow his much wanted brains, wow he won,
The Tin Woodman was given a heart,
Which he wanted from the start,
Cowardly Lion made brave , ruled all beasts under the sun.
Witch East splattered by Dorothy's house landing, she was bad,
Grateful Good Witch North, gives Dorothy magic shoes, Dorothy glad,
Bad Witch West dissolved with water, airfoam,
Good Witch South Glinda, sends Dorothy home,
Click your heels Dot, destination Kansas, a fairy-tale grand.
HEADING – FIRST TWO LINES OF JUDY GARLAND’S SONG
Poetry Competition; Wizard Of Oz Limerick Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Charles Messina
Date: 2024/11/23
Placed 1st in the contest