Best Sidled Poems
Lonely Lenny lizard was as sad as sad can be
He lived in the rain forest in a leafy green tree
Prayed his dreams for a lady lizard would finally come true
But he was so quiet and shy what could poor Lenny do
Wandering around so sadly with his head held low
He had problems with his long tongue so he’d tied it in a bow
Lenny crawled slowly and found a craggy rock
Climbed up onto it and oh boy he got a shock
A stunning lady lizard was basking in the shade
Lenny blushed bashfully; should her privacy he invade
She flicked her tongue towards him and caught a tasty fly
Lenny was delighted that he'd caught this beauty’s eye
He went and sidled next to her, she did undo his bow
Now no longer tongue tied Lenny’s words began to flow
That day they found true love on that mossy green stone
Lenny is thrilled with his life and no longer lives alone
2nd June 2014
Submitted to Carol Eastmans contest
'Favourite Poem I've ever written'
Achieved No 1 position along with all the other poems entered :-)
Submitted to L poetry Contest
Sponsored by Constance La France
This poem was inspired by just three little words from Darren Watson and my dream now is to turn it into an illustrated children's book.
Categories:
sidled, fantasy, romantic,
Form:
Rhyme
I am trying to find the backdoor
From this solitary room
The silence is oppressive
Shadows paint the walls with gloom.
The entrance stood wide open
I walked in feeling free
I was naïve and unsuspecting
When you pocketed the key.
I heard a loud jingle
As you sidled across the floor
Then you slipped through, to pull the latch
And boarded up the door.
You claimed to be a man of virtue
One of honour unsurpassed
But those keys that fill your pockets
Are not just tokens of your past.
My heart is held a prisoner
In this empty, lonely space
I wonder if this missing key
Is a bead on your necklace?
Categories:
sidled, confusion, depression,
Form:
Couplet
That day we met
‘twas summer ‘63
at the local hop
you sidled up to me
You took my hand
we danced
my heart
my soul
were way up high
almost touched the sky
You walked me
to my bus stop
Bid me a fond farewell
We were to meet
same day
same place
same time
a week from now
That truly was the longest week
Oh how I longed
for you to meet
to sing
to dance
to talk romance
The day arrived
I had survived
I saw you standing there
I knew
for sure
never looked for more
We were the perfect pair
That boy in ‘63
He stole my heart
away from me
And sixty one years on
a piece
of my heart
was now gone
When you left
oh how I cried
bereft
the day you died
Looking back over
my life with you
What more could I desire
My darling dear
true love of my life
For when you chose me for your wife
my husband
my lover
there was no other
I am
I always will be…
~~~~
Your ever loving wife
Written 11th April 2022
Contest A BRIAN STRAND PREMIER CHOICE
Sponsor Brian Strand
2nd PLACE
Categories:
sidled, boyfriend, dance, husband, love,
Form:
Rhyme
No torrid steel rod cauterized my wounds
I could not lick the festering gashes clean
Your sharp-bladed tongue bit too deep
fangs plunged with each vile cursed scene
No mere prick or scratch did you inflict
as thorns draw drops from a finger laid bare
You severed our dangling cord with a stare
Without gauntlet thrown before you swayed
I was waylaid in the pitfall of vows betrayed
I sat weeping upon moistened ground
faintly hearing from ears, a snarling sound
a vile bitterness in your laughter as I stirred
If you have a conscience, I shall be its burr
You turned your back and sidled away
basking in glory; your cruelty had been done
but there is no victory for you, nothing won
for a man whose feet were molded of clay
How often you preyed on weakness of others
while you played at being sanctimonious
Liquid courage brings death that smothers
but I escaped the hold you once tightly held
before my life had been snuffed and felled
I still breathe and I've no fear to speak
I've been set free, and I'm no longer weak
My tongue holds daggers of its own
whetted on the grind stone of your deception
I was hungry for strength, parched with thirst
to take vengeance as my anger grew
emotions that were long past due
Felling you would then label me a doer of evil
which is something I would never desire to be
Vengeance will never be mine to take
knowing this is true is what set me free
Years will pass but I shall never forget
that I was true to you, yet I sorely regret
not realizing the kind of person I loved
I've moved on and no longer grieve
while you still swim in the fiery waters
of your besotted world of make believe
Categories:
sidled, betrayal, emotions,
Form:
Rhyme
Come on Jiggles, let’s go for our walk, and remember, walk with pride
That’s my girl, my beautiful standard poodle, with your sexy stride
Jiggles short tail pounded from side to side,
Her excitement she could never pretend to hide
And her longing to get out was surely not feigned
Jiggles was a flirt, her desire for a handsome dog had never waned!
I put the leash on Jiggles, within 5 minutes, she had spotted Plato
A bold young handsome powerful dog, a Labrador, I let her go
She lowered her eyes demurely, as Plato sidled her way, so slow
They sniffed each other and walked towards a bush, both had to know
They disappeared from sight, their love consummated, Jiggles wore a flush,
And Plato, this aristocratic dog, I could see a definite exited blush!
I looked at Plato’s owner and he at me, what were we to do,
These two would not be separated, this was truer than true,
So owners and dogs visited regularly, and the due date
Now close, mummy Jiggles came into labor, Hugh and I tended to Plato’s mate
Three beautiful Labradoodles, fluffy and cute, to meet Jiggles was Plato’s fate, Hugh and I fell i love, because of two dogs and an affair on their first date!
Entry Contest: List With A Twist
Sponsored By Charles Messina
28/02/2021
Categories:
sidled, cute,
Form:
List
We had started preparing dinner,
but when I told her they were grazing out back,
she wanted to go see them for herself. I folded the dishtowel
and put dinner on hold.
I suggested we take scraps
Lettuce leaves, carrot tops, apple cores, …scraps from the counter
The three horses were clustered under the trees,
munching tall grass, not far from the house
Only barbwire, the swing set, and their indifference between us
We tossed pieces of lettuce over the fence, and called out their names
At first they pretended not to notice us,
but finally one pony swished his tail, and slowly, sidled closer
My grandchild held out the apple, with a hesitant hand
At first she was afraid, of losing a finger perhaps,
or her quivering thumb
But, I told her to flatten her palm, hold the apple like a gift
The pony devoured the apple, and continued to nuzzle her hand
Barbwire is no restraint…. And love has no constraints
Sometimes amounting to nothing more than
an open heart, and open hand and an apple core
Categories:
sidled, life,
Form:
Free verse
A spirited moon skipped and skid
across the silent snowy steppes
as a pale sun sidled and slid.
Her passionate sensuous steps
softly seduced the stars to shine
across the silent snowy steppes.
I beseeched the night to be mine,
singing a sentimental song,
softly seduced the stars to shine.
The Milky Way formed a sarong
surrounding me with deep desire,
singing a sentimental song.
I followed lustily in dire
need of fragrant vanilla grace,
surrounding me with deep desire.
The mystical night chided me,
a spirited moon skipped and skid.
Her radiance had blinded me
as a pale sun sidled and slid.
Categories:
sidled, desire, moon, night, romantic,
Form:
Terzanelle
Sally snake seethed silently
She’d bitten her tongue and it hurt
Sally slowly sidled in the sand dunes -
Unable to speak but alert
The venom it spread through her body
She hissed and cursed in her head
No antidote for the poison within her
Now alas poor Sally snake lies dead
30th June 2016
Categories:
sidled, animal, fantasy, humor, irony,
Form:
Alliteration
I was around fourteen when the charms of girls began to beckon,
And I was about fifteen when I had my first date, I would reckon.
'Way back then there were certain rituals that must be observed,
Some of which left me quite baffled and somewhat unnerved!
The evening must be perfect so I wore a suit and tie.
Shoes were shined and greasy Vitalis to my hair I'd apply!
Peach fuzz was plucked and I fairly reeked of Old Spice.
The car was washed and waxed to further her entice!
This too was her first date and things must be just right.
She'd had a snit with her Ma thinking her hair was a fright!
But she looked divine in her hat, gloves and flowered frock!
Her Pa's parting shot, "You git her home by ten o'clock!"
When I called for her I daren't sit and toot the horn.
That would've heaped upon my brow her folks' eternal scorn!
So, I meekly sidled up and timidly tapped upon the door.
Met by her scowling Pa who said, "Who's this skinny boor?"
My grandkids tell me there's no such formalities nowadays,
And wearing jeans and mutilating body rings is all the craze.
I'm told a great date is to hang out with friends at the local mall.
I guess I was born too soon! I just don't understand that at all!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
(c) All Rights Reserved
Entry for Frank H "First Date" Contest
Categories:
sidled, humorous, teenage,
Form:
Rhyme
Well, 'e sidled up the sofa, and he snuggled up right close…
I said, “Now, watch it, Charlie, you’ll get ***-ash on me toast!”
'E said, “D’you think…?” I said, “Not much…” 'e said, “No, well, I mean…”
I said, “You what…?” 'E said, “You know…” I said, “Now, keep it clean!”
Well, he snuck his arm around me, an' I thought, “WOW! This is IT!”…
Then he suddenly pinched me cherry, an' he gave it a dribbly lick!
I yelled, “Gerroff…!” 'E said, “Come on, I 'aven’t 'ad it yet…”
I said, “You do, I’ll chuck yer out!” 'E leered, “D’yer wanna bet?”
WELL…
I snatched it out of his fingers, an' I put it back in place.
'E sighed, “Ahh, don’t it look lovely…” OOH! I could’ve slapped 'is face!
'E said, “that the time? I’ll 'ave ter go…” I said, “What’s up with you?”
He said, “Yer know…” I said, “I don’t!” … Then 'e went, - and IT went, too!
WELL!!!!
I thought he wanted my body, and a night of illicit fun…
But all he was really after was… The cherry off my BUN!!!!
This is in the style of the old-time comedian's monologue.
I particularly thought of Les Dawson, but we all remember a favourite.
In Northern English dialect, all small cakes are called buns ...
Categories:
sidled, funny, girlfriend-boyfriendme,
Form:
Dramatic Monologue
A coyote pack was howling as the sun crowned
Zack Waverly was weary, he'd travelled around
Zack takes up the narrative, better I found.
High noon, I rode the bay into Rotgut town
With fixed intention, I weren't playing around.
A spurt of tobaccy I spat on the ground.
To finding my quarry was where I was bound.
Saw lonesome Jake sitting outside the saloon
Playing his harmonica, a doleful tune.
No time for pleasantries, gunning for Calhoun
As I went in, I collided with Muldoon
I threw him head over heels into Main Street
Then in turning to draw the bullet was fleet.
I checked Muldoon was dead by kicking his feet
Lonesome Jake squealed and beat a hasty retreat
The bar tender nodded as I caught his wall eye
A bargirl sidled to my side and said "Hi".
With her arms 'round my neck, I did not reply.
So I swept her aside as she exclaimed "Why?"
Downing a shot asked "Seen Calhoun hereabout?"
Bar keep Sam Finnegan said "With this here drought
gone find watering hole with Indian scout"
In anger kicked a table, then came a shout.
“ Waverley, you yella belly rattlesnake!"
The saloon emptied leaving 'us' in their wake
Saw Calhoun run up the stairs making them quake.
Turning, he aimed, an easy target did make.
Double barrelled gun smoke then filled up the room.
Grabbing his legs, hissed "I'd put him in his tomb"
I punch him through a winda and grabbed a broom.
Then came a 'free for all' with goodness knows whom.
The director shouted "Cut, print, great work guys"
As my girlfriend, the bar girl, said "Hey, surprise"
As she dragged me to trailer batting her eyes.
Categories:
sidled, character, humorous,
Form:
Rhyme
Written 28 October 2021
I went to a singles bar for the first time.
The lounge was full of smoke and smell
of heavy liquor. The bartender quite busy.
Music blared “Smoke gets in your eyes”.
I smiled despite a small tear that got lost in my beard.
I sat alone at the counter. Too many people, but
I did not like to sit alone at a table where I would be
more conspicuous. Finally the drink arrived.
I looked at it with distaste. Am I to drown
my sorrows by getting stinky drunk?
Frankly it was not my style. But what was I to do?
A woman sidled up to me. Asked for a drink.
She was already half drunk. I gave her my own.
I smiled. She stared at me. Was I happy there?
I did not answer. Crying because she left me.
Was not going to make things better.
So I smiled despite the fact that it was a phoney smirk.
The bartender promptly put another drink before me.
I drank it up and left into the cold air outside.
It was then that I could not help but cry.
FICTION
Categories:
sidled, angst, sad,
Form:
Free verse
It’s Friday night down at the depot,
and it’s closing in on half past four,
the knock off bell won’t send us home …
Friday night it’s the pub we adore.
The pub’s a great place to relax,
and spend valued time with our mates,
where we laugh, and we joke up a treat,
in surroundings imbibing creates.
But alas there is always somebody,
who is finding themselves in a fix,
they drift off on their own to a corner,
quite depressed and refusing to mix.
Now I’d noticed poor Patrick Dorling,
there looking quite morbid and sad,
sitting alone with glass in his hand,
amid nothing else wishing to add.
So I sidled up close to poor Patrick,
asking ‘what is the matter now Pat?’
Patrick replied, ‘my good wife Mary
has a habit she needs to combat.’
‘I’m finding her restless and angry,
the looks on her face are forlorn,
and I cannot break her out of
staying up until two in the morn.’
‘Good heavens’ I said to poor Patrick,
‘Is her insomnia fairly severe?’
‘Oh no’ Patrick downcast shook his head …
‘Mary’s waiting for me to leave here.’
Categories:
sidled, humor,
Form:
Rhyme
WELL … Ah woke up this mornin’,
Had a ringin’ in ma head.
Ma backbone felt like rubber,
An’ Ah wished that Ah was dead …
Ah crawled into the bathroom,
Pulled myself up to a lean.
Saw ma choppers in the mirror …
Such a tasteful shade o’ green!
Ah’ve got the tartar blues.
Man, Ah’ve got the tartar blues!
Ah’ve got the feelin’ oldie,
Green an’ mouldy,
Sad ‘n’ lowdown tartar blues.
Well, Ah sidled in the drug-store,
Saw this kid behind the till.
She said, “Sir, how can I help ya?
Man, you’re lookin’ awful ill!”
Ah said, “Ah’m a mite embarrassed …
Ah cain’t tell ya what Ah need …’
She said, “Sir, I know precisely!”
An’ she sold me a pack o’ three!
Ah said, “Girl, Ah’ve got the tartar blues …
Girl! Ah’ve got the tartar blues!
Ah’ve got the feelin’ oldie,
Green an’ mouldy,
Sad ‘n’ lowdown tartar blues!”
‘Cause mah pearlies ain’t so pearly;
They look as if Ah’ve died,
An’ Ah been layin’ in the graveyard
For a century or five …
Well! Ah need some Arm & Hammer,
The toothpaste with a “WOW!”
So that Ah can tell ma tartar
“Tartar, ta-ta for now!”
Girl, Ah’ve got the tartar blues …
Girl! Ah’ve got the tartar blues!
Ah’ve got the feelin’ oldie,
Green an’ mouldy,
Sad ‘n’ lowdown tartar blues!
Categories:
sidled, funny, parodysad, green, sad,
Form:
Light Verse
Wiz Away
I entered the empty funeral hall.
Am I not at the correct memorial gathering in visitation room H?
“Excuse me, sir, but is this the memorial for Mr. Wizby?
There is not a posting besides the entrance.”
“Never fear, you will soon behold…”
What? I think, seeing nothing around me—not a flower vase or a picture.
“Never fear”, the director says once more.
Odd, I think.
A knock and a rumble of voices echo outside this room.
What’s up? when guests—who are they? prance along the waxed floor, strange masks floating about a sea of wild frocks.
“Who may you all be?”I ask, bewildered—is that a ferret wrapped like a scarf?about the pig-tailed girl with dirty feet?
A falcon perches on the threadbare arm of a midget.
“Who may you all be?”I ask, yet again.
A tall, bespeckled man cartwheels to my side.
”We are the Pennywhistle Circus, who knew of old Wizby well.
Pray, who may you be?”
“I am Ian, his grandson.”
Cartwheel-Man bird-whistles to a bearded portly man standing next to the door. He holds a foggy beaker in his gloved hand and a stethoscope dangles from his neck amid a snowy beard.
“Ah, Binky! So glad you have come!”
“Reggie, I see you have grown taller since last I saw you.”
“Ah, Binky! The marvelous elixir you gifted me was a welcome surprise.
Alas, my pet lizard partook of the vial, growing beyond measure, and thus, died.”
“Everyone, gather near, as Mr. Wizby is finally here.”
Wrapped in peacock feathers, Wiz was quite a sight.
Porcupine quills crowned his pink bald head.
The midget sidled near to pluck a feather, unraveling
old Wiz.
“Oh, dear!” chortled Cartwheel-Man.
Ferret-Scarf poked his wiggling body amid the dancing feathers bathing the room. Midget-Man’s falcon perched atop old Wiz.
What folly is this?” a voice graveled out from once-dead old Wiz
“You take my death lightly, so “poof, be gone, as I am the Magic-Man.”
Wiz leapt into a pile of frocks and masques, shouting
“I have returned, never fear, Wizby lives on for yet
another year.”
Categories:
sidled, age, crazy, magic,
Form:
Narrative