Every day I refused to conform,
causing conflict, but what is the norm,
who's to say and anyway,
in a teacup no more than a storm,
but why should they hold sway?
Every time I was so inclined
to step out of line, they'd remind,
hoping to prevail,
altho' I was not resigned,
someone would assail.
(Good luck with that, but keep it under your hat)
On rare occasions, the subject broached,
I was appreciated and approached,
for what I did by being me,
and yet, who else was I supposed to be?
Lie down with dogs
everyone knows
and get up with fleas
so the story goes
or if falling from a dizzy height
the gravity of the siuation might
have you near in a tizzy
calling out in fear and fright
atho' wallow with pigs
below by the hollow
or in some such place
as a sty filled with crud
and if you shovel the stuff
for long enough
it will stick to your shoes
and on your face
you will have mud
but not only that
you'll have egg on it too
so keep it under your hat
whatever you do
Too large to avoid everyone knows it's here
not wishing to collide they won't stand too near
nor broach the subject they keep it under wraps
Mum's the word keep it under your hat
they all walk 'round it talk around it
they're not blind so what gives
it's unkind to animals and who wants to live
with an elephant in the room
too large to evade it's something they ignore
not wanting to impede but can't close the door
a line they won't cross they'll avoid it at all costs
just sit there and stare
even sweep it under the rug with a broom
but with lumps and bumps that big
how long can they keep on pretending it's not there
the elephant in the room
The poems have been flowing like a river
Must take advantage while it happens
I think they say, “while the iron is hot!”
Other very familiar idioms like...
“A bigger bang for your buck” sure has sexual overtones
“Take the bit between your teeth”
Again, do they all have sexual overtones or is it me???
“Tail wagging the dog” uh-huh
How about, “Wet behind the ears!”
Sounds like someone has been keeping their tongue busy
I like, “Peter out”
Now if that doesn't conjure up an image
“Wouldn't touch that with a ten foot pole”
YIKES!!! I wish!
“A hard man is good to find!”
LOL! Nothing to add here!
“Make a clean breast of things!”
No explanation necessary here either!
“Middle for diddle”
Now this one should be at the top of the list
“Caught by the short curlies”
OUCH!!!
One last one...
“Keep it under your hat”
WOW! Now I'd sure like to see that!!!
© Jack Ellison 2014
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