The brownie brigade trotted around the block.
Marching with their feet going tickety dickity dock.
I listened to their shoes going click click click.
The loudest one was my own browine, little Nick.
We are marching! The oldest girl brownie said loudly.
And we are great at it! Another one stated so proudly.
Their clickety clackety shoes went on over the hill.
I stayed in my hiding place and was very still.
The fey act funny when they know you are looking.
So I put on some barbeque and pretended I was cooking.
I smell meat! Said a teensy voice, I thought it was them.
But it was my garden snake, I call him Old Slim.
I tossed him some beef, and he drew it in with his tongue.
I am going to go after a brownie, don’t worry, I’ll just eat one.
Leave them alone, or there will be no more barbeque for you.
He slithered away rapidly, way down into the blue.
The numbskull brigade was in town making us feel intimidated.
Running over manuscripts over which we had been elated.
Our tender feelings were hurt, they did not like our wording at all.
And they were mean and blustery, and about sixteen hands tall.
You make publishing impossible, we little writers screamed.
They laughed at us and threw us into triple cake all creamed.
We came out loving the frosting, which made us feel better.
Here's our advice they said. Try first to write a letter.
gremilns dance
youth sees with joy
not too socialized yet to be part of the fey happiness brigade
Polar Bear Brigade manned their enormous 747 airplane.
They jumped in their warships and they sailed past Maine.
They were ready to take on congress or the prez or the police.
Their ice floats are melting! This is a travesty to say the least!
On Dad’s 75th, instead of singing,
we recited cadence.
On the video from 9 years prior,
Dad points out Mom’s huge smile
and I point out his.
I see his family line all likewise grinning,
joining in the smile brigade
from heaven’s open window.
BOTOX BRIGADE
Oh so numb, I can’t stop myself drooling,
Can’t feel my brows, touch them, one is drooping,
My lips I feel are massively huge and swollen,
I should have realized that this was a bad omen.
My cheeks are sore, injected frequently,
Obsessed by the media talk increasingly,
I dare not put lipstick on, for I’ll look like a clown,
I stare at the mirror in horror, I have no frown.
For boobs I requested a size thirty six
Simply wanted to be one of the chicks,
But the surgeon had extra silicone,
Even the so famous Dolly I outshone!
A nip and a tuck were done on my tummy,
Which I inherited after becoming a mummy,
And after the final touch of a firmer bum
I looked like new, a different me I had become.
I knew I was in fact addicted,
This was to me often predicted,
Developed scars, no recognizable features,
Too late, now one of many Botox cheaters.
AFTER HAVING SEEN A DOUMENTARTY ABOUT OBSESSIVE PLASTIC SURGERY
crickle crackle stamp stamp stamp
tiny corpulent marchers track up the sand
crickle crackle wow wow wow
I stand back, watching them come
pincher alert
maybe they drank
or just mentally blank
President plank
the charge of the yank
Fairy brigade stopped as queen tied her shoe.
In that one pause I knew what to do.
Hid inside a mushroom with dots of blue.
Magical moment of woodland voodoo.
Crow cawed loudly then away she flew.
Parade restarted, determined, anew.
Rainbow peeked out, sharing beautiful hue.
Reverence exuding from daisy pew.
Gorgeous day in the land of the dew.
I often wonder if fairy queen ever knew
Or if any of the fey had nary a clue
They were watched by a pixie who’d escaped from a zoo.
Upon a great white steed he rode
The hope of all he served be known
This valiant soldier's war be told
To fight this day his bravery shown
Into the strife of chaos sown
They rode with vengeance high and wide
Infantry entrenched with blood and bone
Taking life from death's cold bride
For he ordered valour be by his side
Slashing sabers slaying bold
They flayed and tanned sinew and hide
That blocked the sun, darkness tombs enfold
As death and sacrifice did hide
These men's lives whose pride abides
Their lives given to halt the tide
Their courage stands never defied
Into history they marched strong
Their legend still makes hearts shudder
Into the depths of soul and song
Their fate of death sad souls recover
They are the legend of heroes who died
So ignorant of why they gave their lives
To be remembered as the useless glory's tide
To honor the strength of their captain's pride
Written January 11, 2020
Strict rhyme and meter challenge Poetry Contest
Judged on January 28, 2020
Rewritten February 27, 2021
Santa’s Clydesdale brigade
helps him bring snow and presents
to the good, the bad and the ugly
Stand down reindeer!
The Charge of Boris's Parliamentary Cohort of three hundred lawmakers
I
Forward the light brigade!
Was there a dude dismayed?
Though most should have known
Cameron had blundered.
Theirs not to make reply!
Theirs not to reason why!
Theirs but to do or die!
Spurning the fear of Death
rode the three hundred.
II
Farage to the right of them,
Corbyn to the left of them.
Bannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered.
Stormed at by the press,
Onward they rode in stress
Into the wilderness,
Oh, what an awful mess!
Rode the three hundred.
IV
Can ever their great deed fade?
How high that price they paid!
All the world wondered.
Praise to the charge they made?
Praise to the Light Brigade?
Intrepid three hundred!
A vindictive old crone called Skyla
Her comments could not be more vile’a
She will give folk such flack
Stabbing them in the back
Well 'madam' I don’t like your style’a*
If you cannot say anything nice
I’ll offer a snippet of advice
Please keep your big mouth shut
Stop your cruel words and smut
Because soup’s not a fool’s paradise!
* a little poetic licence with end rhyme
Fictional name but sadly over the last few weeks I’ve seen some really vindictive comments made by both male and female poets ... there really is NO need for it .
6/5/19
Find your voice and join the grassroots brigade
Bring your dendrite alleys
And your open mikes
Muses with love in their hearts get front row seats
Cheer loudly and for the competition with equal attitude
Everything is green and red, pink and yellow.
Seriously do not bring blacks and whites with judgements
Do not bring a stingy mind or a hardened limb
Listen with the innocence of a three-year-old child
Who has never heard so many words
Be ready to be in awe of each and every poet
But clap the loudest for yourself
Find your voice and come along bring a guitar
Be prepared to fall in love with your essence
And your character by opening your mind
And your heart, and giving everyone a chance to sing their truth
Tulip Brigade
Dutch bulbs
Proudly lead the spring parade
Amid charming, twirling windmills
Imperative highlight of Neverlands
Among cobweb-free brick homes
Forward march please
Tulip brigade
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