I'M NOT TOO BAD AT ALL...

I'M NOT TOO BAD AT ALL...

No, I'm not too bad at all today,

no, not too bad at all

the plaster, oh, I got that when I had a fall

but I'm not too bad at all.

Don't worry about the bruises there

they're from a cricket ball.

They might be black, but they're very small

I'm not too bad at all.

What's that you say, can't hear too well

I never can, not since I fell..

it was only from a ten foot wall

but I'm not too bad at all.

No, the ankle doesn't bother me..

it happened when I was small

it's just that I didn't realise

that the tree was quite so tall.

I'm really feeling fine today,

I'm not too bad at all.

I've felt much better since the op I had

did you know they took my gall?

Well, they had to

it was full of stones

enough to make you pall...

but really, I'm not too bad at all.

Oh, the pimple on my nose?

It's alright, I've got lots of those

but they're not too bad at all!

My finger, oh, it's okay

I only broke it yesterday..

but I'm not too bad at all.

Hypo - chond - ria? 

No, I've not that had at all

I've not felt better that I recall...

©Crissouli April 1983

THE CAST

THE CAST

Where do they come from,

these faceless people who sit

in lounge rooms every night,

munching happily, many of them,

while they live their lives 

within the rays

of a pulsating box..

Do they have lives 

of their own?

Or do they simply

live in dreams

written and directed

by characters unknown?

The world passes them by 

unknown to them..

their whole existence

is that of an audience.

© Crissouli Feb. 1985

 Image by Pixabay

FAREWELL TO OLD FRIENDS

FAREWELL TO OLD FRIENDS

 We said "Goodbye" to you today..

for so many years you'd been a part of our lives.

We'd had a long and happy association

but your time had come, I guess.

Because of age, you'd outgrown your usefulness.

You had welcomed others, so many times

but somehow, their presence worried you now.

You seemed to creak a little 

and groan upon their arrival, not very polite.

It didn't seem to matter who they were. 

You began to treat all and sundry

in exactly the same manner.

 They'd all been so kind to you

and had come to visit often,

but you didn't exactly show them your gratitude.

In fact, you usually fell apart regardless.

I kept hoping you'd mellow as you got older..

perhaps you did, in a way,

but your behaviour got too much for us.

I'm afraid we could stand it no longer. 

The friendship simply couldn't survive.

You became unglued just once too often..

Goodbye, old chairs, you served us well!

©Crissouli May 1983

Image courtesy of Pixabay

THE DONKEY'S TALE

THE DONKEY'S TALE

  

There was once an old donkey, who lived near the sea

all day long, he went hee haw hee

 I didn't meet him till he was quite old

but I listened carefully to the tale he told.

He was so happy when the children came round

for he'd give them rides, all about the ground

but it hadn't always been that way

and I took lots of notice of what he had to say.

A long time ago, before my time,

even before there was a town hall chime..

he'd been very popular, as a weekend treat

when the parents came down, with their children, so sweet.

The kiddies sat on his back, so tall and strong

and he carried them proudly, all the day long.

The people came, from near and far..

some came on foot, some came by car.

Then one weekend, there appeared near the beach

a great big machine, too tall to reach.

It was bright and shiny, and oh, so grand

and played bright music, just like the town band.

The children no longer came to ride

the poor old donkey and that hurt his pride..

for they all flocked to the merry go round.

It was far more exciting, than him, they found.

He was so sad there, standing all alone, 

and sometimes, softly, you would hear him moan.

Then one bright day, the machine wouldn't go

and the children were crying, as they do, you know.

Till one little girl, in a bright red suit, 

said "Look at the donkey, I think he's cute!"

Then lots of children came over and cried..

"Please, Mr. Donkey, can we have a ride?"

The donkey stood, so tall again 

puffed his chest out, and looked quite vain.

He felt he was useful and was proud once more

this is what he'd been waiting for.

After that day, he was always there

and stayed so important, at the seaside fair.

If you go one day, just look over the hill..

I'm sure you will find him, giving rides still.

 ©Crissouli August 1983

Images courtesy of Pixabay

MISSING

MISSING

Why, when I call your name

do you not respond?

Why when I reach out

is there no one there?

You have been so much a part of me, 

of my life..

Did I depend on you too much?

or was it you, on me?

Was there ever a time that it mattered?

For though two, we're one

in so many ways.

Now, I feel divided

between past and present

then... and now.

I miss your laughter, your smile

your tears..

but mostly, you.

Maybe in time, the pain will lighten..

though I doubt it.

I long for your presence

will I ever be whole again..?

©Crissouli January 1983