We expected an Amazon box,
Which had toothpaste and sandals and socks,
Plus a few odds and ends
Which, when Amazon sends,
Rarely ends up with stumbling blocks.
Yet the package, this time, never came
And we’re not really sure who to blame,
For the app said, “You’ll find
That the doorman had signed,”
But he didn’t, despite what they claim.
Finding someone to help was a chore –
Service isn’t like it was before –
But at last we were told
There’s a one-day long hold
So the whereabouts they can explore.
We will wait before calling their bluff,
Though I doubt that they’ll locate our stuff.
Once I thought they were great
But I’ve noticed, of late,
Amazon isn’t quite up to snuff.
I'm not quite up to snuff,
should the wind give me a puff
I'd simply fall over
like a worn-out clover
that's lost its own shadow
in an overgrown meadow
Sam and Twitch, two partner cops
bust the bad guys in the chops
they found corruption
and much disruption
in the NYPD shops
Sam was big, and loud, and gruff
with criminals, he was rough
tendency to curse
sometimes even worse
he’s the first to call a bluff
Where Sam was brawn, Twitch was smart
Angles were his state-of-art
twin pistols twirling
steady aim sterling
simple logic off-the-chart
With Al, confronted evil
sometimes causing upheaval
finding rotten cops
pulling out the stops
integrity retrieval
Their story stops in interrupt
as sales were not up to snuff
sadly the tale ends
without fair amends
their end was much too abrupt.
The Marketplace of Thought!
Don’t I love who I’m open to - would share soul with (somehow in words -
in poetry, revealing me)? Must I place worth on goods ‘vain’ hawk
to earn a look? Let self-regard be life’s canard! God Loves such cheer?
May I find wealth in other’s health (I pray), by Grace of God’s intent,
not courted rhymes that plague our times, end freedom found in ‘Will of God’
(that lights all life)! Oh, bless the ways God’s muse serves days! Count that enough!
My labor’s mark you think a lark (not worth fool’s ink or up to snuff)?
What you begrudge, I would not judge. I serve my truth! Is it so odd
that’s what I’d share? Your truth is yours if it’s just Coors (in lieu of rent)!
But rent’s still due (my point of view!) I’m happy though to share a beer,
not make you wrong (to me, love’s song!) reciprocate without a squawk.
Life shared’s a chance to change the past, hoist sail up mast, view world like birds!
Long Tooth
October 14th in 2022
Poet's Notes:
Another poem with distant rhyme and note too that each line has an internal rhyme as well! What fun!
The Globetrotters haven't had enough
Thrilling crowds with their magical stuff
Magic it was
Creating a buzz
A hoop at the bell was sure up to snuff
He always kept a special place within his heart for church
when every time he felt that way he'd rush away in search
That every time a woman yelled he wasn't up to snuff
he'd go away to church that way and pray she's not enough
That on his way to pray that way
he'd never felt so simple
When saying he himself's that way
was standing up for simple
That on his way to see there's more
for kindness that's quite simple
He knew that they were very fierce
and bold enough to cripple
That he would find a way to go
for not to be as little
When kindness for his church would say
they're shelter from the whittle
And Terry knew to find his way
for losing pain he had
When he would say the one true God
is just what he'd kill sad
My new quilting teacher’s a guy
Which proves why you cannot get by
With presuming you know
Just which person will show
If the course list does not specify.
He’s delightful and knows all his stuff
And his skills appear quite up to snuff.
In his class I can grow
Since this teacher’s a pro
And that knowledge is more than enough.
You kept me from being alone,
You listened to my silliness though,
All you asked was a belly rub,
And a blue boy to tear up and throw.
You weathered your blinding eyes,
Then one morning you woke but could not see,
For the last year or so I led you, “This way, this way,”
But with your pluck you found your way without me.
We called your odd supper “bean beans,”
Yogurt and applesauce mixed in,
For that’s what you were fed by a rescue
A little stray in my neighborhood but my win.
And I ached for you when we both slowed down,
I couldn’t take you for walks, but you understood,
You will never know what your unconditional love did for me.
You never could, you never, never could.
And now you are gone,
I found you fallen by your bowl,
I knew you hadn’t been “up to snuff,”
But I thought you’d get better and so
The house silent now though you are everywhere.
No little snores, but still under my feet.
The loneliness is killing my soul with tears,
I just can’t say “goodbye” little sweet.
Annie died on October 4, 2018, about 5:30 p.m. after eating a good supper. She had fallen “asleep” by her water bowl.
You kept me from being alone,
You listened to my silliness though,
All you asked was a belly rub,
And a blue boy to tear up and throw.
You weathered your blinding eyes,
Then one morning you woke but could not see,
For the last year or so I led you, “This way, this way,”
But with your pluck you found your way without me.
We called your odd supper “bean beans,”
Yogurt and applesauce mixed in,
For that’s what you were fed by a rescue
A little stray in my neighborhood but my win.
And I ached for you when we both slowed down,
I couldn’t take you for walks, but you understood,
You will never know what your unconditional love did for me.
You never could, you never, never could.
And now you are gone,
I found you fallen by your bowl,
I knew you hadn’t been “up to snuff,”
But I thought you’d get better and so
The house is silent now though you are everywhere.
No little snores, but still under my feet.
The loneliness is killing my soul with tears,
I just can’t say “goodbye” little sweet.
Annie died on October 4, 2018, about 5:30 p.m. after eating a good supper. She had fallen “asleep” by her water bowl.
Too bad we can't adjust the color of our dandruff
To the color of our clothing each day, maybe a shade of buff
Or perhaps chartreuse
Maybe a baby blue
Everyone would want dandruff to be up to snuff
While on my watch today,
My grandson fell and split his lip.
It wasn’t quite my fault, but still,
I thought my heart would rip.
One minute he was racing
Back and forth in utter glee,
When suddenly he tripped and flopped
Three steps away from me.
I scooped him up and hugged him close;
His blood dripped on my shirt.
I knew he’d be okay
But couldn’t stand that he was hurt.
An ice pop offered by his mom
Both soothed and made him smile.
In minutes, he was up to snuff
And ready to beguile.
His lip will still be puffy
For a day, but it will heal;
Yet it will take much longer
To get over how I feel.
I like to read a book just once,
No matter how I like it;
So when I finish, from my list,
I’ll go ahead and strike it.
The same applies to Broadway shows –
One time is quite enough;
If I go back again, it seems
It’s just not up to snuff.
For movies, though, this won’t apply,
Or certain TV shows.
When favorites hit the screen, I’m glued;
That’s just the way it goes.
Today I went against my rule,
(A habit I should fix)
So we saw “Once” a second time
(My husband had cheap tix).
It reaffirmed that I should always
Take my own advice,
For seeing “Once” just once was great;
I overdosed on twice.
Today I had some custard
But it didn't cut the mustard
Though I really thought that it would be the best.
Guess you can't make an assumption
Based on ice-cream loving gumption
That what looks impressive must leave you impressed.
So the next time I'll be cautious;
Though this didn't make me nauseous,
It was mediocre and not up to snuff.
A prediction's surely wasted
'Cause until your tongue has tasted
All that other information's not enough.
Other needs are cast aside;
Phone calls unreturned.
Invitations all denied;
Friends become concerned.
Two weeks’ time is not enough;
I’ll never get it done.
Guess I’m just not up to snuff,
But then, is anyone?
Three times longer than the rest,
Too wanted to renew;
I’m loving it, but I am stressed –
My library book is due!
Everything can feel so tough
When someone isn’t up to snuff.
Your best may not be good enough
Although you try and try.
What often happens off the cuff,
As simple as a powder puff,
May suddenly seem raw and rough,
A truth you can’t deny.
So if you’re acting grim and gruff
Because you lack your normal stuff,
You just might not be up to snuff
And that’s the reason why.
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