I’d be a cat, born to a mother already a spoiled house cat.
I would also be the one orange one in the litter,
the one everyone falls in love with.
I’d be blessed with the largest head compared
to my brothers and sisters.
A quality cat people seem to admire.
I’d be the keeper of the litter, but.
With this life of Riley, three squares a day
a clean litter box comes a price one must pay.
That trip to the Vet to be neutered.
Though I must admit.
I’m still trying to wrap my head around this.
Another little bundle of joy
Born today, a baby boy
Riley Beau is so pure and sweet,
His innocence made our hearts beat
Thankful for his safe arrival
And our Granddaughter's survival
All our faces looked content and smiley
As we had all witnessed, the beginning of
THE LIFE OF REILLY
I promise not to take the Mickey as far as I know
After all you maybe a John or Jane Doe
Of course you could be Uncle Sam in the USA
Possibly John Bull living here in the UK
Bob's your uncle if I took the Mickey out of you
Going even Steven would certainly not be true
Peeping Toms would check up on me
Robbing Peter to pay Paul as you can see
All this poetry work makes Jack a dull boy
Never take the Mickey its for you to enjoy
Read it and you will have the life of Riley
I guarantee a tear and perhaps even a smiley
They tell me I’m living the life of Riley
a float flowing freely with the tide and breeze
They envy my empty whilst I think why me
I’d advise not to buy if this life were free
flow without effort while the rest live up high
what good’s a boat when life’s lived in the sky
this isn’t well suited I’m rooted can't fly
nothing to give or lose just live then die
Living uncared
never go anywhere
if I’m better faired
your view must have a glare
Getting lost in deluded dreams
not included in social scenes
the grass around me shines pure green
because I’m all this grass has seen
I’m not living the life of Riley
It’s an illusion you can’t see
This is the life of why me
I’m what you don’t want to be
Another year older
Yet I feel just the same
Except my hair's turned greyer
and my knees are getting lame
I once had buns of steel
My mind was like a trap
But now that I am older
I don't put up with any crap
Sure my bod is sagging
I've got bags under my eyes
I webble and I wobble
There is jello in my thighs
yet I am not daunted
Imagination is my friend
I stay away from all the mirrors
Enjoying my land of pretend
For if there is no reflection
The world is sure rosy red
I live the life of Riley
From morning till I go to bed
For within my mental landscape
I live an adventure every day
I ain't really getting older
I'm to busy enjoying my play
So if you don't mind my foolish
Come join me in the land of joy
Where you can be like a teenager
and I can be a silly boy!
Thanks for all the Birthday greetings!
Such powerful images fill our dreams
weird fantastical events take place
rarely do you lose when you dream
things seem to take on life of their own
One time you will be the hero of battles
greeted as a conquer and royally feted
then you may become a bit of a rogue
playing tricks on friends that embarrass
Or a child playing having fun outside
next you could be a millionaire
living the life of Riley in a mansion
so let your imagination take flight
Soar up high riding on life's crest
don't try to figure it out just flow
let the dream's currents take you
on a wonderful magical mystery tour
I live the “life of Riley” can’t you see
I’m crafty and cunning and independently free
I warm my owner up with a rub and a purr
A warm cozy blanket is what I prefer
When I choose to be aloof
I just turn my back and curl up bullet proof
I don’t mind being a house cat
Some may say because of this I’ve become a bit fat
Not to worry, never fear
I run around this house crazy and mess up your underwear
Sure, give me some yarn, that too can become boring after a time
I’d rather look out the window in the sun and lick my paws, sublime
And when you’re cooking up a great meal
That’s when I sit pretty and cry and squeal
I’m sweet and lovable and debonair
And I’ve taken over your house “I declare”
Yes I know I may sleep more than some
But how could you resist, your furry friend is what I’ve become
Inspired by Constance La France’s Cat tails contest
What I’d give to wake in the morning and hear those church bells ring
To turn on my old black and white and hear Gene Autry sing
Turn back the time to simpler days with Roy and Dale too
Wait for the Late Show and watch the antics of Bud and Lou
All the girls thought Kookie Byrnes was really hip
Driving a convertible on Seventy Seven Sunset Strip
Kryptonite was the only thing that could make Superman falter
Ramar’s friend Charlie talked to a parrot named Walter
I watched Kitty and Chester on Gunsmoke and listened to Ricky sing
There was Circus Boy, My Friend Flicka and don’t forget Sky King
There was Jeff and Lassie, Davy Crockett and the Wild Frontier
I’d watch Robin Hood and Marian in the days of Queen Guinevere
Remember The Thin Man, The Whistler and The Shadow Knows
Alfred Hitchcock and Inner Sanctum were two of my favorite shows
I remember Milton Berle, Red Skelton, Perry Como would croon
What’s my Line, Beat the Clock and Name That Tune
The Life of Riley, Leave it to Beaver and Father Knows Best
Palladin, Sugarfoot, and Cheyenne in the Old West
Boxing from Madison Square Garden on Friday Night
I saw it all on my old black and white.
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.