the cold wind of January
there were no birds
only old brambles
and an ending of a song
months of drizzle
impartial to the sun
the arcane wind raffles
pelted with pebbles
flowers bitter confetti
Chance has always been a friend to me
She smiles down on each endeavor
I have won a 4 raffles and the lottery
Chance has always been a friend to me
Though, I’ve yet to win a contest for poetry
Pray, She is still a friend, this luck can’t last forever
Chance has always been a friend to me
She smiles down on each endeavor
A lively church bazaar is on the avenue today,
In the house of the Lord, happy children play,
So much is going on, there is so much to see,
Like many hues flowing, in the house of memory.
Hot lunches and baked goods are here for sale,
Like myriad summer days, vivid blossoms prevail,
Old and young enjoy the raffles and the games,
As sunset going down, its vibrant smile retains.
Indoor and outdoor fun, and crafts of interest,
Like joys of the rainbow, which shall be missed.
Today the green avenue is ringing with laughter,
On Sunday afternoon, lemon sunshine splattered!
Written on 8/29/2021
For: The Avenue Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Julia Ward
gavel, raffles,
travels unravels.
palming, bombing,
becalm, embalm.
death on-death on
becalm, becalm
2/9/20
Written by James Edward Lee Sr. 2020©
Years ago when I was a lad
I'll share with you a memory I've had
Every year at the end of July
The Iselin fair would always roll by
There were rides and raffles
And great foods to eat
Spare ribs on the grill
And Pizza that couldn't be beat
Bands playing music
And musical shows
Singing songs of the summer
In which everyone knows
Towards the end of the evenings
Each night at the fair
We would all gather round
Or pull up a chair
To watch a brave challenger
Or a drunkard, Oh Dear!
Trying to take down Victor
The wrestling black bear
His mouth was muzzled
And his claws were all cut
He weighed nearly five hundred pounds
From his nose to his butt
He's never been beat
Only once on his back
Taken down from behind
By a person named Jack
Close to fifteen years
He was kept in a cage
Except when he wrestled
And let loose on a stage
And now I think back
I'm feeling a bit sad
For Victor the bear
And this memory I've had
Cold Calling
Who's calling, please? ...
But I'm certain I've never had PPI,
That's final, no matter how hard you try.
Who's calling, please? ...
I won't be paying you any amount
Or putting my money in a new account.
You want to know my bank details right now?
Which tells me that this is a fraud anyhow.
Who's calling, please? ...
I really don't want to do your Survey,
Not today, tomorrow nor any day.
I'm positive that I've not won a prize,
I don't do raffles so what a surprise!
It's part of a con to steal our money
Which is very cruel and not at all funny.
If you're sick of all this day after day,
Then buy a new 'phone with Caller Display.
With Caller ID, you'll soon become wise
And just answer calls that you recognise.
Cold Callers never behave as they should,
Be warned! It's because they're up to no good.
You become Raffles and its Long Bar.
Better, I'd imagine, than it needs,
or probably deserves.
Happy, fair,
tanned loveliness with a dash of sauce
and a hint, I think, of innocence.
Had I noticed that before?
Melbourne today is cold and squally.
Now where I look is stained with sallow sunshine
then buffeted by gloom thicked winds
then still.
Then lashed by rain then still again.
And all about are sodden drifts of autumn.
I wish you were here.
The children’s pet show, hoop la, bowls,
With happy laughter in the air,
The stalls of homemade jams and cakes,
And smells of hotdogs everywhere.
The Morris dancers with their bells,
A beer tent full of merry sounds,
The raffles, prizes, vicar’s speech,
Collection box that does the rounds.
Ah, such a lovely summer’s day -
Until, of course, the rain stops play!
For Lisa's Fair contest
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