As coffee cups go mine's very pretty
With butterflies and flowers thereon
Not very masculine I must admit
But welcome at the crack of dawn
Stumbling my way down to the kitchen
At six o'clock on the dot
Dragging my body bumping into things
Arms flailing reaching for the pot
The first sip goes down kinda roughly
I shake and shudder giving thanks
My body tingles right down to my tootsies
That stuff can sure turn my crank
Been thinking of taking it intravenously
That's when there's no turning back
When you fall headlong over the precipice
And have serious withdrawal attacks
But to top it all off this substance is legal
How cool is that my good friends
When stuff can give you this much of a buzz
It's bound to be illegal in the end
So far so good and until further notice
You can drink it openly if you wish
But as soon as it goes the way of marijuana
That's a whole different kettle of fish
A young demon stood at the crossroads
Not knowing which way to go
“I need to go to Hell” he thought
But the way I just don't know
As he looked around a map he found
Lying there on the floor
He leaped for joy this demon boy
“Now I’ll get home once more”
The map it showed the way to Heaven
Clearly it was marked
“That’s just the devils luck”
The demon boy remarked
Just then an Angel all in white
Came strolling on his way
“Kind sir show me the way to hell”
He heard the demon say
The Angel paused and thought a while
“I’m not sure that I know
But its paved with good intentions.
Maybe that’s the way to go
“I could show you the way to Heaven.
If that is what you wish
But if you want to know the road to hell
That's a different kettle of fish”
DIFFERENT KETTLE OF FISH
Under the hue of azure sky the water blue and clean
The rolling ripples sparkled with the sun’s gleam
The simmering shine glowed on my silky silver skin
In the limitless lake Iike a mermaid I used to swim.
To the distant horizon extended my aquatic home
I could touch the golden sun when it rose and set
In the placid depth I found my blissful fond freedom
The joy of playing with rocking reeds I’d never forget.
On a dark night the sky fell with lightning thunder
Floods came roaring on the lake from somewhere
Swept me far away before I could even ponder
If I’d survive the deluge or the end was near.
The flood waters rushed like a mad river in spate
From my home in the lake it carried me away
After flood receded land returned to normal state
I found a new home confined in a turbid pond to stay.
I can’t swim any more to the horizon for I’m not free
In the muddy tangled bottom I can’t play even if I wish
The sun shines bright but it no longer touches me
Life in a pond for me is a very different kettle of fish.
February, 10, 2018.
As coffee cups go mine's very pretty
With butterflies and flowers thereon
Not very masculine I must admit
But sure welcome at the crack of dawn
Stumbling my way down to the kitchen
At six o'clock right on the dot
Dragging my body bumping into things
Arms flailing as I reach for the pot
The first sip goes down kinda roughly
I shake and shudder giving thanks
My body tingles right down to my tootsies
That stuff can sure turn my crank
Been thinking of taking it intravenously
That's when there's no turning back
When you fall headlong over the precipice
And have serious withdrawal attacks
But to top it all off this substance is legal
How cool is that my good friends
When stuff can give you this much of a buzz
It's bound to be illegal in the end
So far so good and until further notice
You can drink it openly if you wish
But as soon as it goes the way of marijuana
That's a whole different kettle of fish
© Jack Ellison 2013
Papa sat there, quiet,
Reading his books
Never raised his voice
Or give you nasty looks
He just read his books
On metaphysics and inner self
Books I have not seen
On any library shelf
One day my friend and I decided
To steal mangos from the neighbour’s tree
When papa found out he sat me down
And had a quiet word with me
I felt torn up inside
Remorse for what I did
I used to curse myself
And say what have you done Sid?
Now Mamma she’s ummmm
A different kettle of fish
When she heard what I did
It was like signing a death wish
She had a way with words
Colourful they were
And when she moved
Ninja style a blur
I managed to run away
And climb up an avocado tree
She was lunatic and rabid
The gardener was sent up to get me
I should have run away
She came down on me like a monsoon
My behind was like a plum tomato
I looked like an alpha male baboon
Don’t get me wrong
The love was there
But do something significantly wrong
Look out, beware
Ask my imaginary friend Glen
This is not a trick
He too felt
The end of her stick
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