We all knew a fellow named ‘Tiny Tim’
Fit as a fiddle, though extremely slim
Poor Tim had weakling muscles
And needed a side hustle
So he spent all his spare time in the gym
FIT AS A FIDDLE
I used to be fit as a fiddle
When I was in my prime.
I could run the London Marathon
In a perfectly reasonable time.
I would play five sets of tennis,
Then dance throughout the night
And still be at the local gym
Before it was even light.
My body was slim and wiry;
They called me a fitness freak.
And all the prettiest girls in town,
Admired my fine physique.
But all of that was long ago,
These days I’m uninspired.
Just watching the London Marathon,
Leaves me feeling tired.
Yes, I used to fit as a fiddle,
Slim and full of grace.
But now, alas, my figure
Resembles a double-bass
5th August 2022
Simile Poetry Contest
Sponsor - Hilo Poet
Four young men and quite large
Are cruising the mall like a barge.
But I, diddle, diddle,
Fit as a fiddle,
Aim my cane at the middle and charge!
Never Give Up
There was a green frog on his lily pad
A big duck came beside him and said, Lad
I'm hungry and fading out
Amid a full-hearted shout,
"I'm a rare frog!" Duck said, "Yummy I'm glad"
Duck looked cockeyed standing in the middle
Of the pond with a minuscule twiddle
Green frog holding chokehold
Until the duck was out cold.
Frog seen jumping off fit as a fiddle.
5/24/2021
Quitters Never Win Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Margarita Lillico
You are lost to me in your world of despair
I reach out to comfort you- but you say 'I don't care'
now but a shadow of the person I knew
muttering, staring, broken and blue
bottles are hidden and stashed in the trash
I thought you were broke and had no more cash
you used to be strong-as fit as a fiddle
the way your behaving- so odd- what a riddle!
clothes that are torn and ragged and your hair all astray
you need to get sorted-starting today
why wont you move- what am I to think?
you just sit there staring with eyes that don't blink
so you lost your job and I know your in ruin
sort out your bills before they start suing
watching you break is hurting so bad
I keep thinking of the good times we once had
I know now I have lost you friend-maybe for good
left with a shadow where once a man stood
I am waiting here friend to lend you a hand
stop trying to bury your head in the sand
shall I leave to wallow in self-pity and booze?
is that really the path that you want to choose?
there's really no option- I cant let you go on
tomorrow you get help- before you are gone.
There once was a patient named Phil,
A tough one the doc couldn't kill.
He left the hospital
As fit as a fiddle
But croaked when he opened the bill.
Better With Age
I’m actually getting better with age
To illustrate this, here is my gauge
The spots on my skin – think of a young leopard
The cane in my hand – think of a young Sheppard
And now that I squint – think of a young Clint (Eastwood)
The grey in my hair – now I look debonair
Though my jowls droop a little I feel fit as a fiddle
And though I wear glasses, the gals still make passes
My six-pack’s matured to a tight mini-keg
And I could run miles (except for one leg)
There’s a skip in my steps like I’m dancing on air
(It’s just orthopedics – I now wear a pair)
And the creaks and the groans that you hear when I move
Is the gypsy in me getting down with the groove
When I look in the mirror I still see someone young
And my memory sticks on the tip of my tongue
Yes, I’m actually getting better with age
If I recalibrate what I use for a gauge
Was quite the lady that Tilly O’Grady
she plays the fiddle and tells you a riddle
but stops in the middle, just to piddle
she was fit as a fiddle, made waffles on the griddle
the cat ate the waffles and her paws would twiddle after she read the riddle
so there you have it, the cat and the fiddle.
Must have been something I ate no doubt
Spent the early morning hours down and out
Quite unusual for me
As fit as a fiddle dee dee
Not often it hits me with such a clout
If you press an elevator button three times it comes faster
A well known fact but it also makes you a love making master
Understand what I'm sayin'?
For a break you'll be praying
Only try it if you're fit as a fiddle or it could end in disaster
PLAYING WITH CLICHÉS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
recycle plastics... what goes around comes around
~~
thirty-six twenty-four thirty-six... fit as a fiddle
~~
where there's muck there's money... all that glitters isn't gold
~~
see the facts... use a mirror... don’t get your knickers in a twist
~~
speak out or... has the cat got your tongue...
~~
history... good or bad... only time will tell
~~
true love... every cloud has a silver lining
~~
how times have changed but.. opposites will always attract...
~~
mother nature begs... recycle... don’t cry over spilt milk
~~
who told that lie... all is fair in love and war
~~
don't whisper... speak up or shut up
~~
be in it to win it... a bird in the hand is worth two in a bush
~~
recycle... live long and prosper
~~
at weddings... many a true word spoke in jest... i do...
~~
if only... speak now or forever hold your peace
~~
playing with words... isn't that a cliché...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inspired by Silent One's challenge Monoku #5 cliché
https://www.poetrysoup.com/poetry/contests/monoku_5_cliche_11070#MemberContestDescription
thirty-six twenty-four thirty-six... fit as a fiddle
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monoku 5: Cliche - Poetry Contest sponsored by the Silent One
Friday, January 5th, 2018
Chrysalis
As healthy relationships go
Ours is as fit as a fiddle
Peak condition
Well fed on truth and
Admission
Tantrums I’ve thrown each
Childish full-blown
Cherished by love and
Compassion grown
From vulnerability
Liberty born on
The scream of my song
Heard as blue bird angels
By the heart of my biggest fan
This man of mine
Cocoon for emergence
In it’s early delicate form
For him I’ll be me
I’ll share who we are as we
Love
Now, then, ever be.
O! Rabbit, I am sincerely sorry!
For you were once alive and well,
But now you don't have to worry,
Because you are now dead,
We missed your head,
But we ran straight over your middle.
O! Rabbit, I am sincerely sorry!
You once were fit as a fiddle,
Until now of course,
Because we ran you over,
Once apon a time you jumped in clover,
And frolicked in the meadows,
With your fellows.
O! Rabbit, I am sincerely sorry!
Rest in peace, poor thing,
Were you still here,
I would take you under my wing,
Did it hurt much dear?
O! Rabbit, I am sincerely sorry!
We tried to miss you but failed,
So you got nailed.
O! Rabbit I am sincerely sorry!
Of antiquity's Gods I know little,
And yet somehow feel fit as a fiddle,
God of poems and plague
(Though connection's quite vague!) ,
But real life seems to rest in the middle.
Brian Johnston
August 2,2014
Poet's Notes:
With special thanks to Daniel Brick of PoemHunter.com for tempting me to enter arena's I would normally not dare to enter. I've been eaten by lions in too many different lifetimes! : -)
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