I keep a little sweetshop
Beside the High School run,
Where all the red-cheeked children
Are let in, one by one.
There is a CCTV,
And mirrors on each wall,
To catch the red-cheeked children
Who drift in from the mall.
There lurks, alert, my brother,
Who carries his big stick,
And I can rouse the rozzers
Each thieving child to nick.
Aye, ‘tis a curious fancy –
But all my stock, I know,
Was swiped from under my grey eyes
A short time ago!
Author notes
A poem after Edna St Vincent Millay's "Tavern":
I'll keep a little tavern
Below the high hill's crest,
Wherein all grey-eyed people
May set them down and rest.
There shall be plates a-plenty,
And mugs to melt the chill
Of all the grey-eyed people
Who happen up the hill.
There sound will sleep the traveller,
And dream his journey's end,
But I will rouse at midnight
The falling fire to tend.
Aye, 'tis a curious fancy-
But all the good I know
Was taught me out of two grey eyes
A long time ago.
In a list
A contest entry
- Parodies (serious or satirical) #62 by Lyndon.
3970 points, ended April 6, 2008, 11 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 32 of 32
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What a cleverly crafted parody you have penned here. A real delight to read as always.
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Thank you.
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Parodically infectious
until all are immunised. Doc. Jeff will give us all a jab at the Winkletown Clinic.
I have been needled already.
Still, there is a slight trace of infection:
"I run a little sweatshop
Beside a cotton mill;
Where Aussies slave for pennies
Until they're pale and ill."
I naturally enjoyed the whimsicality and cavities: in your bank account and two dozen mouths!
Thank you, Sweet little Lollipop you!
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Ron, will ya stop blowin' them kisses at me!
Much more likely to be Philippinos or Vietnamese in that sweatshop.
At least I didn't write:
"I run a tattoo parlour
Down by the old main drag,
Where all the Goths and Emos
Come in for speed and skag..."
Thanks for the applause.
M
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here is the original for all to compare
I'll keep a little tavern
Below the high hill's crest,
Wherein all grey-eyed people
May set them down and rest.
There shall be plates a-plenty,
And mugs to melt the chill
Of all the grey-eyed people
Who happen up the hill.
There sound will sleep the traveller,
And dream his journey's end,
But I will rouse at midnight
The falling fire to tend.
Aye, 'tis a curious fancy-
But all the good I know
Was taught me out of two grey eyes
A long time ago.
nicely done and good luck in the contest...peace
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Thanks, Ogb1. That's better than a link
I had great fun with this parody.
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I loved the rythum and flow it matched the origionals maby even a bit better than! it was a great paralell to the origional well done
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Many Thanks, WWildBill.
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There's no link ...
to the original. I can't really say much about how well you've done without that.
Oh, I see, you posted the link in a comment way down the page. I'm not sure that's the optimal way to do it. In any case it's not a bad job, all in all.
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"In any case it's not a bad job, all in all" - I shall accept that as high praise.
But bother - I thought I had put the link in the notes. Maybe my edit failed. It shall be rectfied at once.
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This is a nice write though I can't judge as a parody. I'll have to check out the original.
jjj
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I can recommend it, judycubed.
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Echo for Mairi
It has a lovely steady beat
that carries me along,
makes the tattle-tale repeat
much like a funny song
until we find the thievin' bunch
of rascals in your store...
Who stole? You have a hunch
they're from the school next door.
It has to have a lot of stuff
to inspire more from me!
No sweat at all but quite enough
for infectious it can be!
Thank you! That was fun.
Terry
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Thank you, Terry. Have a look at Edna St Vincent Millay's original too, and you'll see where I drew my imspiration for this parody. It was fun to write.
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Fun Twist
the parellels left me fighting for breath. Loads of fun!
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I aim to please.
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I have found the original poem and read it. Your's is so much better. A really funny poem. I am glad I was told to read your poems.
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Oh Edna's orginal has its charm too.
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It is lovely, your's is better.
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Oh my! Those theving lil *&^%$# Your brother better use his stick well. I love this; so much fun!
Love,
Amera♥
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Sis, it is SO much fun and SO satisfying to compose a successful parody of a well-known poem. I enjoyed writing this very much, and I am glad you like it.
M
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Adorable poem, most definitely. Really and truly enchanting.
So like you to write a tenderly splendid poem. 
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I am glad you liked it. It is a parody of a poem called "Tavern", which you can find on this page: http://www.squidoo.com/poetry-by-edna-st-vincent-millay-12
I had a lot of fun doing it.
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I'd never read this poem
But now I've read it through
And so my education
Is really down to you
I'd like a little tavern
But if I had, I think
I'd squander all the profits
And steep myself in drink
When last I was at Tesco's
I saw a lunchtime queue
Of schoolbairns being admitted
Quite arkwise, two by two
And so I can identify
With your parodic words
A sweetshop full of children
Is strictly for the birds!
Well done. Excellent parody - and it has a modern message.
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"Arkwise" - Jings a'michty that's guid! Thank you.
If we keep this up, everybody will have a pop at E StV M!
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This is terrific! Not being that well educated in poetry, first I looked up your model ( http://www.squidoo.com/poetry-by-edna-st-vincent-millay-12 ).
You have shown a modern problem and used the form in a lovely way. I laughed out loud when I reached the last line, that is just perfect. All the best to you in the contest.
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Thank you - I had the poem in mind, and standing it on its head just seemed to be right for the age of ASBOs and binge-drinking!
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I didn't really swipe it
Just borrowed for a while
My father is the dentist
We stand to make a pile
When all their teeth are rotten
And his has filled the lot
With our gains so misbegotten
I'll repay with what I've got!
Excellent and I am glad to have the poets name brought back to me, knew the poem not the poet.
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You are an utter plonker. And I am glad I could be of service.
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good poem
I feel like im in your shop lol.
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Many thanks...
... Hey! Put that Curly-Wurly down - you haven't paid for it!
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