Best Store Poems
"I LIKE NONSENSE, IT WAKES UP THE BRAIN CELLS!"
a quote from dear Dr. Suess......
Dr. Suess and his Shoe Store
LISTEN, LISTEN! I have BIG NEWS
Dr. Suess has a store just full of SHOES..
A GAZILLION shoes I'm sure there must be
Line them all up, bet they'd stretch to the sea!
Small shoes and tall shoes and some with spots
He even has one covered with pink polka dots..
...... Lots of Dots....
Round shoes and square shoes and OH MY
Even lots of cool shoes you don't have to tie!
A snake came in cause he was going to school
And wearing shoes at school is a VERY strict rule..
Now where could a snake wear a shoe you ask?
Well he wore the darn thing like a Halloween mask..
You can buy just one pair if your feeling thrifty
But poor old centipede - he had to buy fifty
He first bought 25 pair, all were bright yellow
Then 25 orange...now he's quite a colorful fellow!
A kangaroo complained that his feet were sore
So extremely sore he could not hop any more
They fixed him up with a spring loaded pair
Now he can happily hop from here to there!
So if a GRANDUFULOUS sight your longing to see
Dr. Suess is waiting at the corner of 7th and G
With shoes for the young and shoes for the old
HURRY! HURRY! before the purple ones get sold!
This is an old poem of mine that I reworked a bit....
The little girl stood outside the candy store
Pressing her nose against the window
Her lips wet
Trying hard to swallow
What the sight of those candies
Produced in abundance in her mouth...
The liquid anticipation of taste
It had been a long time
Since a candy
Had slowly dissolved
On her playful tongue
Oh, the bliss
Yet she knew….
She could not have one
She looked longing at one particular kind
Her friend had given her just a lick of
Oh…it was so divine
She wanted one…all to herself
Not to share with anyone
To savor…..alone
To savor…long
Tasting every single flavor
That would burst on her tongue
How she wanted it
To fill her mouth with sticky sweetness
To help her forget
The bitterness of her days and nights
A little tear trickled down her cheek
Slowly she pulled herself away
And trudged on past the candy store
Perhaps, she was just not meant
To have certain treats
She smiled through her tears
As she kicked a stone aside
Now that she had seen it
At least she could dream
Of floating away
On sugary cotton candy clouds
Of wispy pink
Savoring in her mouth
the glorious sweetness
Of her forbidden treat
Eileen Manassian Ghali
She jiggled like pink jello into the store
with platinum blonde hair and red rouge on her face
the shoe clerk mumbled it must be 1950's day
watching her strut around with a hanky made out of lace
She said hi hon you know why I'm here
he replied let me guess, you wear a size eight
she said well if the shoe fits I might as well wear it
and maybe later if you get lucky you can be my date
So she scouted around and found a pair
and sat down with tight dress flair
he thought to himself I think I'm in love with Mae West
looking her up and down and at her chest
He gently took her foot and slid her old high heel off
his hand sliding up and starting to cruise
she batted her eyelashes and said oh keep it coming, she toyed
saying, why don't you come up and see me later big boy
With that he winked and slid the new heels on
watching her walk around like Mae West
she said you know I know you like me big boy
but my eyes are up here and not on my chest
With that he gave her a long wolf whistle
and said you know I just can't resist
now stop acting your shoe size sexy
pulling her towards him giving her a passionate kiss
She whispered hon is that your gun
or are you just happy to see me
he said guess what my little chickadee
tonight you can be my Bacall and I'll be your Bogie
With that she left the store with customers galore
staring, whispering and looking aghast
he said out loud, come on... get a life...
I know we're a little kooky, but she happens to be my wife!
2-7-18
Before this virus came around
On Saturday's I'd go to the mall
One of the places I like to go first
Would be the bookstore to enter
I would look for poet's poetry books
There are lots of books to choose from
As I walk through the aisles-
I noticed someone sitting at a table
She had piles of books stacked high
So i chose a chose a book and read
It was titled Love-I bought it
The author and I chatted
Then she signed her book
Her name is Beleza Angel
The title was Pieces of Me
Will be a book i will always keep
This will be a special book
I met a poetess she wrote poems
She published her poems
Beleza Angel a book keepsake
She is on instagram & Facebook
Marching down life’s highway, my feet became very sore
I then came upon a sign that read “Heaven’s Grocery Store”
When I got closer the doors swung open wide
Next thing I knew I was standing there inside
I saw a flock of angels positioned everywhere
They handed me a basket and said, “Child shop with care.”
Everything a human required was in that grocery store
With many commodities to carry, you could always come back for more
First I acquired some Patience; Love was in that same row
Further down was Understanding, you require that everywhere you go
I grabbed a box of Wisdom and Faith, a bag or two
And obtained Charity of course but more than just a few
And then reached for Courage to help me run this wicked race
My basket was almost full but remembered some loving Grace
I then chose Salvation for it was advertised as free
I tried to collect enough of that for both you and me
Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill
For I thought I had everything to do the Master’s will
As I went up the aisle, I saw Prayer and proceeded put that in
For I knew when I stepped outside I was bound to encounter sin
Peace and Joy were plentiful, the last thing on that shelf
Song and Praise were hanging near so I just helped myself
Then I asked an angel, “Now how much do I owe?”
She smiled and said, “Just take them wherever you may go.”
Again I asked, “No really, how much do I owe?”
“My child,” she said, “God paid your bill a long time ago.”
As you open the door...
you are momentarily transported
back to an innocent child like state.
Your concentration wavers
as your senses react like a 4th of July
firework display.
Large, colorful posters cover the walls
surrounding you...
offering tasty descriptions of many of the items.
All the while the scents of chocolate, fruit,
along with a variable feast of
confectionery delights are taken in
with every breath.
You look around...it's almost your turn.
You must decide...but it can not be taken lightly,
or simply blurted out in a moment of desperation.
The moment has arrived as you step up to the counter.
As eye contact is made,
your mind gives second thoughts to your selection.
Taking a deep breath, you calm yourself...
you can do this you tell yourself,
as the words start to form.
" I'll have a scoop of chocolate chip mint...a scoop of fudge nut brownie,
and a scoop of strawberry cheesecake in a
chocolate waffle cone dish...topped with a modest swirl of whip cream
and hot caramel drizzle, crowned with one perfectly positioned cherry."
Your mouth waters as you take possession of your masterpiece.
As you turn, you look proudly at the others in line,
letting them see your perfectly proportioned glacial reward.
As you grab your spoon, you waste no time leaving,
changing back into an adult, climb back in your car
to feast privately...like a hungry mouse hiding...
eating the last piece of cheese.
P.R.Deremer
There's been bedlam down at the food bank store
Rushing and shoving through the opened door
I've even seen fighting there on the floor.
What's happening to people, can’t they share?
When it appears there's hunger everywhere
All we need is some love, kindness and care.
* * *
Again I'm going to the food bank store
For my little girl Daisy Loo, who's four
Always hungry and it hurts to the core.
Life has not been cushy since her dad strayed
I wouldn't have him back if on knees he prayed
By him and my best friend I was betrayed.
She is welcome to him he's nought but trash
Having a love affair behind my back
Without care for me or our little lass.
Though it's tough to manage without one's man
I work every day to earn all I can
I clean houses while Daisy Loo’s with nan.
Can't believe her dad just up sticks and went
Not much is left after paying the rent
To feed my daughter when all has been spent.
As for the hubby, he's past history
Food bank store manager's coming to tea
He's fond of Daisy Loo and fond of me.
Tonight chefs special will be beans on toast
And I’m going to be the perfect host
Believe me I almost gave up the ghost.
Food bank store team and all donators too
Thank you most kindly and God bless all you
Much love from me and my girl Daisy Loo.
* * *
4th August 2021
Panic at the Food Bank Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Kai Michael Neumann
I'm looking for some inspiration
Can you direct me to the Inspiration Store?
Heard they've got some real good bargains
Great ideas never used before!
I don't often need to avail myself
Of this vital and humanitarian service
Been quite prolific in the last few years
But now I'm feeling a wee bit nervous!
It's five minutes before the midnight bell
I've come up dry all the day long
Utter panic has grabbed hold of my brain
Thinking suicide would be wrong!
There's other things besides poetry I'm told
On this great big happy balloon
But none so addictive as rhyming and rhythm
It turns people into silly buffoons!
The Inspiration Store has saved many people
From utter and overwhelming despair
So I guess I'll do a search on Google Maps
Before I totally lose all my hair!
© Jack Ellison 2014
Her glasses perched on her nose, my old friend
the Bookworm proprietor, welcomed me smiling,
and then murmured. quietly.."behave yourself"
knowing I would end up at the poetry shelf.
Words, one word, a billion words..all for
me..all for the taking. Words of love and hate,
of brooks and fields, creatures small and great.
Words of sunshine and laughter ,sadness
and hope…of places and faces.
A coffee stain, a torn page patched with tape..
a loving inscription on a cover page.
Settling in my favorite chair, the tabby cat
at my feet, I loose myself in a land far away,
a land that grew from a poets mind and heart.
Tomorrow will come soon enough, but for this
time, and of all these words, I am a part…
8/24/14
I work in the retail sector
and everyone's gone mad.
It's really very amusing.
It's really very sad.
Toilet paper and sanitizers
have flown right out the door.
Though everyone is asking
we've no idea when we'll get more.
The face masks of every type
are hoarded like they're gold.
Even the ones for dust or painting.
But those hoarders can't be told.
The painters and the contractors
are getting pretty mad
since the ones they need for their jobs
are no where to be had.
Panic is setting in
and everyone's afraid.
But off to work we go
because we just need to get paid.
The N-95 face masks
( the ones they really need)
are limited to six per customer,
a lot of whom can't read.
We wipe the counters diligently,
the keypads and scanners too.
We don't want the coronavirus
but we understand it's just a flu.
Wash your hands, don't touch your face.
It doesn't seem that tough,
and if you're sick, just stay home.
We can't emphasize this enough.
~~~~~~~~~~~
12/03/2020
Driving through a small mining town
Angle parking in front of an old drug store
Memories flashed back to my childhood
Those days are gone forever more
Sitting on a stool at the soda counter
Large cherry coke for a dime
The place had its own kind of smell
A memory lost in time
Hamburger was more than worth the price
With a toasted bun and an onion slice
A metal Coca Cola ad hanging on the wall
For a nickel you could buy a red sponge ball
Fountain soda tasted mighty good
Floor was clean and it was made of wood
Get a prescription filled and something to eat
An ice cream soda was a special treat
They had Squirrel Nut Zippers and Mary Janes
Red hot dollars and candy canes
Good n' Plenty and crackerjacks
Magazines and paperbacks
Baseball cards came with gum inside
The owner flew our flag with pride
I looked to the sky and heard myself say
Lord, I'd trade all I own for yesterday.
Flapping in the wind
A sign hangs near the front door
"LEAF BLOWERS ON SALE"
The corner store across the street
Was known for all its cuts of meat
But also it sold milk and bread
And other things you’d need instead.
On Friday mornings folks would flock
To sit on chairs among the stock
To hear the music on guitar
Of Uncle Junior (TV star).
The owner’s lived at my address
For more than forty years, I’d guess.
As neighbors we would nod and chat
Of Yankee games and this and that.
Today, in shock, while walking by,
An empty storefront met my eye.
I’d heard the rent went through the roof
And there before me was the proof.
Though times must change, it makes me sad
When touchstones that we’ve always had
Just disappear and are no more;
Farewell, my friendly corner store!
The scent of linen,
Slacks, creams, leather. Mellow tunes.
Soft muted bustle.
We move promptly to our quest.
In the purse, Mom’s hard won cash.
~
The shoe department...
Always with my size and style.
The well-groomed salesman,
His warm charm sooths my unease
At the cold chrome size device.
~
Brylcreem, tweed, Old Spice.
Soft caring hands hold my feet.
New shoes. Perfect fit.
And now, such memories past
Bring warm solace to my years.
* Reworked version submitted in tanka format.
There is adventure, just waiting, as I open the door
A tiny bell sings a tinkle, (old lyrics, perhaps)
To a place of discovery... inviting me in...
But offers in fact, enough excitement to thrill me
I often drop by, one chance for a glance
A dingy old store ..., this place I adore..
I scour the junk, the discarded old trunk, a bit of history in disguise
Elbow to elbow, wall to wall...a sea of collectibles to capture my eyes
Upon every visit, a brand new dilemma...how will I decide in the gloom?
How can I use this? Should I buy that? Will I have room?
Nothing like it in the world! Nothing so lovely, oh how I love this little shop!
Will it be cheap?....Something lost in a heap?....It beckons me to stop!
As the lifting down from the dusty shelves, the musty scent of wood
Telling a story...pungent and sweet....restore it?....I could!!
That antique rocker, perhaps it was lonely....so lost and cold
Or those dusty dishes...on the shelf...I rub off the grime..the flowers are gold!
Oh yes...I could give it new life....let it see sun, won't it be fun?!
Buried beneath the rubbish.....where do I begin?
A treasure, I'll think...Soon after the clink that nourishes a till
For mere pennies...I will haul it home...paint, polish or shine...that's the thrill!
How divine! Once it was theirs..., lost in a time zone...now it is mine...
Swift on the track of the years that had left it behind....