I wandered lonely in the crowd
that thronged the streets of Notting Hill.
When someone called my name out loud
I turned around and, standing still,
in all that throng I tried to trace
the friendly or familiar face.
The crowd around me hurried on
and jostled and bumped me where I stood.
'Twas then I found my wallet gone
and spied a short man in a hood
duck into a doorway dim
and, straightway, I went after him.
It was a crowded bar. A right
dodgy, dark, low-ceilinged dive.
the sort where, if you start a fight,
you're lucky to get out alive.
And there, where two big bouncers stood,
sat a short figure in a hood.
Though lesser men may blanch and pause
ere setting foot in such a den
a poet with a worthy cause
has heart and soul as strong as ten
and - dauntless in my righteous heat -
I yanked the scoundrel from his seat.
I yanked him up. My grip was firm,
and - suddenly - the room was still.
He yelled and wriggled like a worm.
'Twas then I felt my innards chill -
it turned out this was just a lad
and one of the bouncers was his dad.
His dad was huge - but not with fat -
all muscle, bone and injured pride.
I don't recall much after that
'till I came to again - outside -
save for that which I did spy
before the first blow closed my eye.
I still recall that glimpse I had -
it's printed on my inner eye -
a man no taller than the lad
slipping out the door nearby
who, just before he left, had stood
and winked as he put up his hood.
Aghast, I dropped the boy, then - Whack!
the sky fell and the world went black.
But now, with all the bruises gone,
my mind in a more pensive frame,
I see I should have focussed on
finding the friend who called my name.
Instead, I tried to find a thief
And lost my friend, my wallet and my teeth.
Author notes
jimmy20johns
Loosely based on Wordsworth's 'Daffodils' ("I wandered lonely as a cloud that floats on high o'er vale and hill")
In a list
A contest entry
- Make me laugh by lilblueeyesmine1978.
425 points, ended September 20, 2007, 37 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Give me FUNNY!!! by Sinfully Yours.
400 points, ended October 6, 2007, 14 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Silver To Gold- For Poets With 15 Trophys Or Less by Mercury Rising.
450 points, ended October 9, 2007, 9 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Contest For Everyone.. Take a look (options) by TheAshtrayGirl.
550 points, ended October 27, 2007, 53 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Tall Tales by PureCountry.
800 points, ended December 8, 2007, 2 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Make me smile, rock my world, make me love you baby by Stardust100.
550 points, ended December 10, 2007, 13 entries
Bronze trophy winner
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1250 points, ended January 15, 2008, 43 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Suitable-for-Publishing Poetry Contest. Prewrites welcome. by Expat4Cebu.
500 points, ended May 30, 2008, 28 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - The BEST and origanal option contest that could ever be out there so please enter now cuz my hand is about to fall off from typing ALL this...THANK YOU!!!~ by SmartBrick.
300 points, ended June 7, 2008, 12 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Something To Make Me Laugh by Fire-Fly.
500 points, ended July 2, 2008, 26 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - The Best of Your Prewritten Poems and Stories ♥ by Sunkissed xo.
1300 points, ended September 20, 2008, 10 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Your 'Gold' Is All The Rage by 2lullabyhaven.
650 points, ended November 5, 2008, 25 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - I need a good laugh or two or three or etc... so come on in and make me laugh already, PW welcome. Big Points by echo-ink.
1300 points, ended June 25, 36 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - HAVE MORE THAN 3 GOLD ON ONE PIECE? by Vintage Chiffon.
1000 points, ended September 8, 9 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 45 of 45
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lol
and it rhymed,
finals -
Well done, I liked the story fashion in which you write...great artistry lol thanks for your entry into my contest
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Oh my, this poem tell such a gripping and funny tail, a really entertaining one indeed.
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Wow! I love this poem! It is a unique and refreshing read, and has been written exceedingly well!
Your use of old language is lovely, and the rhyme flows very nicely. The ending is brilliant, it put a smile on my face!
Thanks so much for entering - and well done!
Katie
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WOW!! Congrats on all your pretty cups. this was really fun to read. Thanks so much for sharing it with me.
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This is such a delightful tale, and I am proud you have graced my contest with it. I see it has brought you many trophies, and doubtless it will many more. Thank you for entering it in my contest, and may you continue to write for many years. Patricia
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Funny
I know this is a funny poem and it made me laugh and now i find myself crying 'cause the truth of the poem touches my heart, sometimes we "go after" those who have hurt us while missing out on the -friend calling out-
Thanks for writing your poem,
Funny and true
best,
Isabella -
Absolutely Fantastic!!
This one really does hit the spot. It's written brilliantly and I love the contrast between the style of Wordsworth and the expressions such as
"A right
dodgy, dark, low-ceilinged dive."
Really enjoyed.
Well done and good luck in my contest. -
Well deserving tale
... that's well written in good form. A most enjoyable read in poetic form! Loved it and I can see that you have a good eye and a working mind for these kind of poems. Very nice! joy
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Wow, is all I think I can say. This really left me feeling great. I love reading this and seeing how the story unfolds. TThis is very well done. Great rhyming. Thanks for sharing your wonderful poetic talent.
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ROTFL!I liked this poem very much!It was exactly what i was looking for for option six!This poem doesn't need luck!But good luck anyway!~
signed confused
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That was amazing. Such a prolific read! I felt as though I was reading out of a book of classic writers! Every line flowed so perfectly and I wouldn't change a single part! Better writing than I've ever accomplished. Keep it up!
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Great, funny tale
This was a great story that happened to rhyme and flow easily. Thanks for your entry.
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That was great
:]
Good luck in the contest! -
Too much fun. I like your ability to keep the pace. The rhyme wasn't forced and the words weren't mediocre. Great entry. Thanks!
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Great rhyming, and a lovely bounce. I think you may struggle in Alaskanamber's contest due to the line count, but an entertaining piece for sure.
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I love the way it rhymed, and the last stanza is especially good!
I love the humour/truth of this poem and all in all great write!
Good Luck in the contest!
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Jimmy, This is grand
This is a great story, well written and humorous, I enjoyed it from start to finish. It is similar to my poem , What a Jerk' but much, much better. I believe that is the worst poem I ever wrote.
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makes me chuckle...the rhythm of this makes me smile.
and yeah a great little devotion to wortdwoth(oh goodness me I can't spell today). You get what I mean! -
Thank-you and congratulations, excellent poem and a well deserved prize. We hope to see you in the later rounds, all prize-winners are scoring points in the race to be crowned "Best Rhyming Poet on AP and thus the world!"
Thanks again for entering and supporting our rhyming extravaganza
Jeff and Sue
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Two more great poems and with sad/nostalgia and feelings coming up which should be right up your street I am looking forward to more treats, thanks a lot for the entry as always
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Very brilliant poem and the picture painted with the words is quite a picture, also!
You're a good poet.I'll stop by to look at your art when I have more time.I like art too.I mostly love portraits, but I do varied things.
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WOW! I LOVE this! It's brillant! The flow is great and perfect! This very imaginative!
Thanks for entering! -
One can well see why this poem has received the honours it has .An excellent piece and a joy to read One has to think that it will lay claim to yet another richly deserved shiny button for its coat
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Good
Good write. I really liked the punchline.
Good Luck.
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Brilliant a great write I did say no more than 30 lines but this was a great write.
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Wonderfully Penned
This piece has a wonderful flow about it. The way you wrap up the plot and tuck everything away is simplistic yet effective.
Thanks for sharing. Good Luck in the Contest.
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you capture the feeling of outrage and good for you for chasing the thief.
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wow this was funny,you did a great job with this peice.
good luck in the contest and thank you so much for entering!! -
this was very humorous and had great rhyme!!
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very nice it made me smile thank you for entering my contest
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:)
Brilliant poem
I really enjoyed reading this
It was just like reading a funny story
It gives great images also
Good job
Good luck in my contest
From Jaz <3 -
Interesting, and entertaining. Sounds like a good message too. Good form and rhyming
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A very clever and imaginative and humorous parody that was a delight to read. I've written several parodies myself, so I really enjoyed your poem and appreciate the work you put into it. Best of luck, and thanks for entering.
M.R.
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More than one entry is now
allowed, I have changed the settings to permit it,
would like to invite you to share another write
to delight the souls at Cannonhouse Asst.Living Ctr.
Thankyou, judging will come soon.
ears2hearyou
Kathleen : )) -
I can just picture this! It's quite good, actually, and should be put in other categoric contests because not only did it make me laugh, but there was obvious work put into this and it should be recognized for its unique rhyme and story-line. Great write overall! Good luck in the contest!
Miss Marie -
great poem ...wonderfully rich
and flowing it is even more fun when you read it outloud
to another, as I just did, their faces and eyes grew
wide, it is my test for this contest. Gracious thankyou
for entering, judging will come soon.
ears2hearyou
Kathleen
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lol!!! this is really funny. i would like to thank you for entering this contest of mine for a bit of humor in my life. i am looking forward to reading more from you in the near future and i wish you the best of luck in this contest. viyanna rosemarie
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Very Good
Loved this. it is a great write and i am glad you entered it into my contest. i am adding it to the finalists list. good luck with the contest and good luck in life. I hope to read more from you soon.
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Hi. Thanks for your nice comment and for setting the contest. Cheers, jimmy
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LOL This is really funny. Never mess with a child when his Dad is nearby is what this teaches. LOL Enjoyed the read!!! Thank you for entering my contest.
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What an awesome tale you have weaved.... absolutey hilarious but with a good message attached. Your metre and rhyme are done excellently as well. Thank you for the entry.
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Heavens Child
Hi. Thanks. Good luck with your comp. jimmy
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That was funny! I can truly say I enjoyed reading that!
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KristianDKaye
Hi Kristian. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the comment. Cheers, jimmy
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