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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

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

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

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

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

Curiosity Killed the Cat

We look up in wonder at the stars,
We ponder on there being life on Mars,
And so we've sent a craft to see,
A marvellous thing called "Curiosity".
And on the surface of the big red rock,
The last of its kind looks up in shock,
As from the sky there falls a star,
Which has travelled there from afar.
Then the star begins to slow,
And the last Martian feline down below,
Stares in wonder, as a chute deploys,
Soon followed by the strangest noise,
As the thrusters ignite to stop,
The rapidity of the strange craft's drop.
And then the craft begins to lower,
A separate large object from below her,
Which lands upon the creature's head,
Leaving it squashed and very dead!
Now just how terribly ironic is that?
"Curiosity" killed the cat!

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

Live Or Diet

Well,here it is, and here I am,
for dinner a lettuce leaf, and a slice of ham.
If this tiny morsel,on this great big plate,
is supposed to ensure that I lose weight,
then rest assured, it will ensue,
that pounds will drop off, and not just a few,
no, if I stick to this,then let it be known,
that I'm gonna wind up skin and bone.
my body parts will shrivel and waste,
and to top it all,I can't even taste,
such a teeny weeny piece of food,
if I served this to guest , I would be rude.
So I am going to make an increase to,
my slices of ham,yes,that's what I'll do,
a tasty four slices I'll have of ham,
and frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn,
that this may slow my weight loss down,
as it will help to rid me of this frown,
and also I'll add another three,
lettuce leaves 'cos they're good for me,
and then perhaps a tomato or two,
to enhance the flavour,yes this I'll do,
then to top it all,and add mucho taste,
in a sweet chilli dressing, the lot I'll baste,
and then I'll pile it all between two hunks of bread,
because I intend to live before I'm dead!
And if I stick to this, I'll never be known,
as skinny Tom, the human xylophone!

Tom Higgins 10/05/2012