Seated in a coffee-shop
an extra-large with hot milk
and a slice of decadence
await her indulgence
she leans forward
and spontaneously reacts
to her companion’s
whispered observation
rose-red laughter
pours white-water loud
from her joy-filled mouth
her floating hand
gee-jawing above the table-top
enthusiastically conducts
the wheeze-gasp spasms of her mirth
she unloads like rolling thunder
pounding the other patrons
as they de-caff-dunk
their croissants
huge, mesmerising
her sheer abandon
reduces all others
to a whisper
a stolen glance
some harrumph
others smile
I would love to hug her
to chat with her
about dinosaurs and daffodils
carburetors and kittens
to fall asleep
next to her smile.
Categories:
harrumph, feelings,
Form: Prose Poetry
Everyone loves the Turtle Dove.
Our hearts thrum for the Hummingbird!
But have you heard of the Humphingbird?
With each failure and success
He exhibits neither joy nor stress.
Whether he finds loss or triumph
He greets both with a bored “Harrumph”.
Beyond that I have naught a word
To say about the Humphingbird.
Categories:
harrumph, animal, bird, humorous, silly,
Form: Rhyme
The pond is quiet today
Bull frogs have had their last harrumph
The hum of the insects is gone
No dragonflies tease the wind
October’s chill hovers in the trees
An Osprey circles
John G. Lawless
©10/11/2022
Categories:
harrumph, autumn, nature, silence,
Form: Free verse
Laughter had subsided, but the stitches were coming faster and faster.
Not so large, honey, oldster said to the young one who was learning.
Quilters are particular about their stitch size, in case you did not know.
May, another quilter nodded encouragement to the young one.
Baby’s foot was dangling from the stroller' the puppy was snoring.
Tiny stitches were making the new quilt come together in a sweet way.
I think she will be excited! One said. Another gave a harrumph sound.
Some glared; they did not want to ruin their surprise for the young mother.
Categories:
harrumph, women,
Form: Prose Poetry
THE WILD GOOSE CHASE*
I accidentally let one loose
did you see that thing vamoose?
It gave me the slip, did you see?
Now that thing is awfully free.
I walk on pins and needles, friend.
Trying to find, I twist and bend.
You ask why I pull up the rug,
why I pull out every plug.
I raise my hands over my head
and flip over each unmade bed.
I flip out, scratch, harrumph, grumble,
dash around corners, stumble.
At night I turn off all the lights,
sit in the corner, battle bites.
I listen for terrible sounds.
My eyes dart round and round and round.
Afraid of where that thing will land —
on the mountain or in the sand.
I feel empty of all this gas.
I miss the sound of golden brass
and the smog that liquifies eyes,
the way your ribbon twists and lies.
The putrefaction of butt —
the stinker where we blame the mutt!
7/11/2018
Messina’s I accidentally let one loose poetry contest
*Wild Goose chase - a wild or absurd search for something
To goose - to squeeze a butt cheek
Categories:
harrumph, humor,
Form: Rhyme
The fish know I’m coming
Turtles line the logs
Swans parade in pre-game frenzy
Geese honk from the cheep seats
Muskrat groundskeepers tend the “field”
Bullfrog-voiced announcers “harrumph” the goings on
Dragonfly vendors work the crowd
The fish know I’m coming
The game is on…….
John G .Lawless
©6/11/2017
Categories:
harrumph, fish, fishing, metaphor,
Form: Free verse
Toot, Whistle, Bang, Harrumph
Short days turn into weeks
months melding into years
ever endless changes
the numbers and the fears
new things growing older
wisdom’s elders cast aside
for aging is the future
youth cannot abide.
John G. Lawless
12/29/2015
Categories:
harrumph, change, new year, repetition,
Form: Verse
The old man made a small sound,
turned, tossed a cigarette on the floor,
in a building twenty two feet off the ground,
he seemed to pay no attention
to anyone else in the room,
fixed his tie,
and knew he was well groomed,
a young girl tugging on his sleeve,
asking where was he going,
and why did he want to leave?
He cleared his throat with a small harrumph,
catching everyone’s attention before he made his jump,
a final triumph!
Categories:
harrumph, depression
Form: Dramatic Verse