Good old Blighty
#1
We want to build a factory,
employment is the plan.
First some flood alleviation
we can’t build without a dam.

The newts are called Great Crested
and the bats are Pipistrelle,
we need to find them all new homes
in those trees we cannot fell.

The parish councils mad elect
and all the local planners,
are given jobs for the sake of jobs,
carried out devoid of manners.

Whats that? you want some water
not to mention electricity,
you'll need pipes, cables and connections
but we don't have the capacity.

Now before the community lets you begin,
we need to talk about the noise,
odour and permits, discharge and waste
Its OK we’ll send round the boys.

Have you thought of soil samples,
look out for something white.
Stop work! it could be human bones,
or an iron age settler’s site.

We are worried about the visuals
and the impact it could have.
So we contacted English Heritage
and they would like it clad.

You will work from nine till five
and shutdown at weekends,
the neighbours have opposed the build,
so these rules you must not bend.

Finally each palm is greased
and we can start our task.
Well sorry chaps we'll spend in Spain,
at least Zorro wears a mask.

If your undies fer you've been smoking through em, don't peg em out
Reply
#2
Keith,

This is pretty funny, but for me the jumping in line length really gets in the way of enjoying it. This starts off in ballad meter, which is a good meter to use for this sort of poem, I just wished you'd stayed with it.

Dale
How long after picking up the brush, the first masterpiece?

The goal is not to obfuscate that which is clear, but make clear that which isn't.
Reply
#3
(03-26-2014, 10:54 AM)Erthona Wrote:  Keith,

This is pretty funny, but for me the jumping in line length really gets in the way of enjoying it. This starts off in ballad meter, which is a good meter to use for this sort of poem, I just wished you'd stayed with it.

Dale

Thanks Dale it was a bit clunky I have tried to smooth thing out, not sure its perfect but its better. Thanks for the feedback. Keith

If your undies fer you've been smoking through em, don't peg em out
Reply
#4
it's not perfect but the sentiments all there Big Grin
Reply
#5
Keith, I know 'Good old Blighty' references the UK, but it evokes 'God all mighty' too, which could almost serve as cursing (blame it on nature) for this ‘keystone cop’ bumbling scramble to rebuild infrastructure and residences following recent floods. I like the bats and newts lines. You often have an eye for nature in your poetry. Thumbsup I like that. When you use pipistrel bat, it seems as if you are referencing the aircraft, not the genus pipistrelle (you may want to check that). Sometimes it helps to see the humor in the midst of disaster. Thanks for the levity./Chris
My new watercolor: 'Nightmare After Christmas'/Chris
Reply
#6
This reminds me a bit of Betjaman’s treatise on ‘progress’ which he was pretty disdainful about. A bit clunky in the delivery but you got the point across, at least for me, and that’s all that really matters isn’t it?
Reply
#7
(03-26-2014, 07:18 PM)billy Wrote:  it's not perfect but the sentiments all there Big Grin

Still very clunky and I will return one day Smile

(03-27-2014, 07:33 PM)ChristopherSea Wrote:  Keith, I know 'Good old Blighty' references the UK, but it evokes 'God all mighty' too, which could almost serve as cursing (blame it on nature) for this ‘keystone cop’ bumbling scramble to rebuild infrastructure and residences following recent floods. I like the bats and newts lines. You often have an eye for nature in your poetry. Thumbsup I like that. When you use pipistrel bat, it seems as if you are referencing the aircraft, not the genus pipistrelle (you may want to check that). Sometimes it helps to see the humor in the midst of disaster. Thanks for the levity./Chris

Elle it is, thanks for the help Chris

(03-30-2014, 12:35 AM)Carousal Wrote:  This reminds me a bit of Betjaman’s treatise on ‘progress’ which he was pretty disdainful about. A bit clunky in the delivery but you got the point across, at least for me, and that’s all that really matters isn’t it?

Just read some Betjaman he's very good, yes I agree very clunky just wanted to get it off my chest, I will try and improve it. Best Keith

If your undies fer you've been smoking through em, don't peg em out
Reply




Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)
Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!