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Best Poems Written by Tom Higgins

Below are the all-time best Tom Higgins poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

Details | Tom Higgins Poem

Whale Meat Again

All aboard this ship of fools,
all aboard she's sailing,
all aboard this ship of fools,
for we are going a' whaling.

From the harbour our course we keep,
for the distant Antarctic water,
to find the leviathans of the deep,
and begin our bloody slaughter.

All aboard this ship of fools,
all aboard she's sailing,
all aboard this ship of fools,
for we are going a' whaling.

We say there is a scientific need,
to study these magnificent beings
we harpoon them, and watch them bleed,
as before our ship they're fleeing.

All aboard this ship of fools,
all aboard she's sailing,
all aboard this ship of fools,
for we are going a' whaling.

And still our leaders, they entreat
that we do this for the good of science,
but really it is for their meat,
that we kill these gentle giants

All aboard this ship of fools,
all aboard she's sailing,
all aboard this ship of fools,
for we are going a' whaling.

Details | Tom Higgins Poem

Mass Slaughter Due To Lack of Water

Water, as most of you will know, 
has the chemical formula H2O.
Now this essential liquid is, as well, 
in its natural form, devoid of smell, 
and also in its pure state, 
it's clear and clean and really great, 
for keeping living things alive, 
as without it nothing can survive.
Yes it really is such magic stuff, 
because without it things are really tough, 
and it often makes me stop and think.
each time I pour myself a drink.
What would I do if it all dried up? 
Turn on the tap, but an empty cup! 
Nothing from the pipes emanating, 
panic, as I'm not used to waiting.
This is not how it is for me, 
I live where rain falls frequently, 
and I can drink, shower and bathe too, 
as often as I'm wanting to.
But in other parts it rains only rarely, 
and people there, well they can barely, 
find enough water for their needs, 
to drink, to wash, to nurture seeds.
For them life is infinitely harder, 
they've learned to live with an empty larder, 
and simple hygiene is so hard to achieve, 
when the detritus of living, they have to leave, 
lying, rotting, stinking on the surface all around, 
polluting any water source in the ground.
Because of  the extreme poverty of these 'others', 
on my TV screen I have seen the faces of the mothers, 
whose children died because there has never been
access to water which is drinkable and clean.
Yes, something that we take for granted, 
because we were born, where we were planted!

Details | Tom Higgins Poem

Under Pressure

Here stands a man who's just about to blow a gasket,
he has far too much washing in his basket,
he never asked for such a load,
and he feels it's time to hit the road,
before he does something he regrets,
I wouldn't be placing any bets,
on him sticking around for much longer,
the feelings inside him are growing stronger,
by the second, by the minute,
he really feels he's landed in it.
And all because his employment,
takes all his time, negates enjoyment,
he feels that it is sucking him dry,
and he really has the urge to fly,
to get away from his wage slave life,
the daily back watching, for the knife,
that is often stuck into the unwary,
the workplace is becoming very scary.
No loyalty exists there any more,
I think a lot of people know the score.
A numbers game is all it is,
the bottom line, do the biz,
because if you slow down, there are many,
worse off than you, who to make a penny,
they'd gladly jump into your shoes,
and ensure their gain, would mean you lose!

Details | Tom Higgins Poem

On Clint Eastwood's Birthday

For a fistful of dollars,
I'd write a new 'happy birthday.'
For a few dollars more.
I'd even write the score.
To avoid dirty Harry,
the good, the bad, and the ugly, I'd marry.
And for the man with no name,
I'd most likely, do the same!


Tom Higgins

Details | Tom Higgins Poem

Can You See the Cookie Tree

I was walking in the park last week,
when to me, a young boy did speak.
'Excuse me mister can you tell me,
where can I find a cookie tree?
I know that there are some in here,
and I've been told that they are near,
yes, before I was the age of three,
I knew all about the cookie tree!
I've never seen one yet, although,
they're definitely here, yes this I know,
as from a very young age they've told me so,
that cookie trees in this park grow.
So come on mister, tell me please,
where in this park are the cookie trees?
I have to find them before I'm old,
and they're definitely here, because I've been told.'

I answered him in the following way.
'Since I was young I've come to play,
and wander freely all around this park,
but your question leaves me in the dark.
Because, never once in all this time,
have I come across any sign,
to tell me that cookies grow on trees,
where did you get your info please? '
Straight away, the kid replied.
'Oh well, you're the first one that I've tried.
I didn't think I'd do it with ease,
you know, find the orchard of cookie trees.
So I'll carry on until I find,
someone who believes, and isn't blind,
yes a person who really, truly agrees,
with the fact that cookies grow on trees!

Details | Tom Higgins Poem

Gone Fishing Part One

They launched at dawn, Jim and his mate,
both men unaware of their mutual fate.
The boat was small, the sea was calm,
and neither of them foresaw any harm.

This was something both had done,
at the rising of the sun
on many, many previous days,
they'd sailed out into the haze.

This time it seemed just the same,
the weather was mild, the wind was tame,
though neither of these good friends could know,
just how this trip was destined to go.

Before they left home they checked the weather,
the forecast was fine, and they laughed together,
because today was perfect for their trip,
so they headed down to the launching slip.

At last they were headed out to sea,
for this much anticipated fishing spree,
all bait and tackle at the ready,
their progress out at first was steady.

About six miles out from their home port,
lies a mark from which they had caught,
a lot of fish, over lots of years,
but back on shore there would soon be tears.

At three miles out, suddenly,
a thick mist rolled across the sea,
and rapidly they were so fogbound,
that they feared they would never be found.

Their boat was fine in sight of land,
but lost in fog, they'd never planned,
for such an eventuality,
blind with no compass, miles out at sea.

Details | Tom Higgins Poem

Gone Fishing Part Two

They slowed the boat so they could hear,
if any other craft came near,
when suddenly out of the gloom,
appeared the harbinger of their doom.

A ship so huge they could not steer,
beyond the bow so high and sheer,
as it bore down on them at a hellish rate,
and sliced their boat, and sealed their fate.

The great ship passed on as no one knew
that they'd just killed the small boat's crew,
and back on shore it was not yet known
that both of the friends would never come home.

By eight that night they began to worry,
and to the launching slip they did hurry.
They called the coastguard, and he,
called on all shipping in the vicinity.

After hours of searching from lifeboat, and sky,
and many other vessels that were passing by.
Nothing was found, out in the mist,
it seemed the men did not exist.

And this of course, was totally true
the men had sunk down into the deep blue,
they were lost at sea without a trace,
departed from the human race.

Details | Tom Higgins Poem

Alien Encounter

The likelihood of seeing,
a non terrestrial, intelligent, thinking being,
greeting you with a friendly wave,
and announcing that his name is Dave,
and asking you to take him to your leader.
Is about as possible as hearing,
that the day is actually nearing,
when equality and fairness,
replace the general, couldn't care less
attitude, which today is prevalent,
and which is really quite malevolent.
What do you think dear reader?

Details | Tom Higgins Poem

Just a Thought

Thinker,
failure,
soldier,
sailor,
airman,
dead man,
grief.
Politician,
preacher,
blind man,
teacher,
banker,
usurer,
thief.

Details | Tom Higgins Poem

Smelly Two In the Queue

Smelly people in the queue,
Wafting B O from each shoe,
And from their bodies, both unwashed,
Then to cap it all, both are sloshed,
Swaying back and forth as they,
Wait their stinky turns to pay,
And I am right behind them too!
What's the best thing I can do?
Should I just hold my breath?
That may well lead to my death,
'Cos this queue really is very long,
And their odour is really strong,
And holding my nose will not do,
The powerful pong still seeps through,
As through my mouth I'm forced to breathe,
From this position I have to leave,
Before my retching makes me spew,
I'm heading for the back of the queue!

Tom Higgins 05/08/2012