Best Stiff Upper Lip Poems
It was with immense fortitude that he endured the pain.
His back was arched and head rose as he strode down the thoroughfare.
No one need know what lurked behind his eyes.
Although in all honesty he wanted someone to know what lay behind his eyes.
He composed his mind determined to ride this one out,
“Ok…I’m fine…I’m fine…there’s nothing wrong” he kept saying as if it were a mantra.
A few minutes passed. Finally, the steely gaze was drawn across his face.
His lip no longer quivered.
His heart no longer tightened.
For now, he was a detached dispassionate walking skeleton, nothing to call human here!
Even the sight of a mangled kitten wouldn’t render a response.
My manners are now controlling my passion; they are forever in my debt.
Like Wellington, I’m going to have to grin and bear it!
Throw my deepest love into a raging, scorching inferno, as it will only get in the way of my duty!
I shall never succumb to societies miss giving’s. Never shall I spew forth my sensibilities to the stranger in the street. My convictions are too honest to cheapen that.
A friend, however, has the misfortune or privilege to walk among my thoughts.
I know that we will walk hand in hand into Daedalus’ Labyrinth, a Minotaur at every corner. Never knowing if we shall return. Nonetheless we do it together.
Judgement is never passed. A grimace expression will never rise from your face.
Only in your presence can I remove the mask.
Only in your presence can I let my lip tremble.
Only in your presence can I let my heart feel the despair.
…
Be that as it may, once I leave the comforts of your abode I shall once again display the stiff upper lip.
By Michael Mearns
Copyright ©Michael Mearns
Now we have been released from the EU, and its cheap cost of livingWe are now going British with prices that are more than unforgiving
Keep a stiff upper lip, it isn't that bad
Things will surely get better
Life is a series of these ups and downs
Surely isn't always fair weather
Unpredictable is a word that's often used
When referring to things in general
For some strange reason as we all get older
Life gets somewhat less pleasurable
Can't do the things we once did with ease
Restricted by physical abilities
At one time things were second nature to us
They now restrict our activities
But all things considered I'm doing quite well
For a man of my advancing years
Can't do ALL the thing I once used to do
Also lost some brain matter I fear
© Jack Ellison 2014
An Unlively Very Stiff (upper Lip) Masquerade
(any resemblance between averred one laid
to rest and yours truly...purely coincidental
regarding unnamed person liberated
into heavenly glade!)
though innocently youthful looking air
at three score year,
or so the trumpeting "FAKE" mirrored reflection
(animated, sans Alexa) programmed tube lear
and spout, one most familiar Shakespeare
refrain (frequently misinterpreted) wherefore
art thou Romeo, really translates as
“Why did you have to be a Montague?”
no matter living to max,
I did not accrue
hoping to lyft mine uber last dying wish,
no matter body besotted, kissed,
and riddled with ague
spirit fights futile demise submerging
into bone a fied underworld brew,
any bargain exhausted with grim reaper
past hour to argue
lifelessness accorded ritual
traversing along deathly
other mortals traversed, paved,
and hallowed avenue
sudden agedness tolled
danse macabre league
with trumpeting battue
rigor mortis in toto
human flesh turned blue
oddly starved of wrinkles
thee only cherished clue
that perhaps...key expiration
coroner did misconstrue
bah...false alarm let somber retinue
solemnly proceed so poet can continue
pointless against corpse
dead letter diktat to counterargue,
nor against cosmic creator
can one countersue,
or expect miraculous success cue
wing sudden resurrection,
when biological processes
particularly brought to halt by dengue
fever, and rendering void
erroneous, unlikely mistaken
death sentence, hence sigh continue
and marvel quiet eternal repose
avails most pronounced distingue
lying in state (within coffin)
pulling out all stops
guaranteeing her/his endue
perhaps casket sealed with
decedent's favorite chiffon fondue
unsure what grim missing fate will ensue,
asper the (soul) surviving,
perhaps reincarnated within
commencement of fescue
as verdant leaves of
wit man ask grass
or if cremated...surely
spiritual embodiment freed thru flue
but no matter,
(je ne sais quois) glue
thee only I French I knew
before bidding dearly departed
may dog bless ye - adieu!
Keep a stiff upper lip, it isn't that bad
Things will surely get better
Life is a series of these ups and downs
Surely isn't always fair weather
Unpredictable is a word that's often used
When referring to things in general
For some strange reason as we all get older
Life gets somewhat less pleasurable
Can't do the things we once did with ease
Restricted by physical abilities
At one time things were second nature to us
They now restrict our activities
But all things considered I'm doing quite well
For a man of my advancing years
Can't do ALL the things I once used to do
Also lost some brain matter I fear
Keep a stiff upper lip, it isn't that bad
Things will surely get better
Life is a series of these ups and downs
Surely isn't always fair weather
Unpredictable is a word that's often used
When referring to things in general
For some strange reason as we all get older
Life gets somewhat less pleasurable
Can't do the things we once did with ease
Restricted by physical abilities
At one time things were second nature to us
They now restrict our activities
But all things considered I'm doing quite well
For a man of my advancing years
Can't do ALL the things I once used to do
Also lost some brain matter I fear