Those monthly bills, oh how they irk
but they’re the cause of why I work
To taste the sweet so dearly earned
is but to greet one lesson learned
Of cash consumed and ledger books
and old receipts in cardboard nooks
I struggle sure to tie loose ends
but find myself in debt again
A slave I am to mortal needs
and all those things on which they feed
I’ll work ‘til death if that’s my fate
and then decide which bills can wait
This castle mine is but a home
and reign I will if left alone
To work like mad from dusk to dawn
All mighty king, you’re but a pawn!
Author notes
Those Monthly Bills
by leo2
was inspired by the hardships I have endured this past year and by.....
Those Annual Bills
by Mark Twain
http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/28466-Mark-Twain-Those-Annual-Bills
These annual bills! these annual bills!
How many a song their discord trills
Of "truck" consumed, enjoyed, forgot,
Since I was skinned by last year's lot!
Those joyous beans are passed away;
Those onions blithe, O where are they?
Once loved, lost, mourned—now vexing ILLS
Your shades troop back in annual bills!
And so 'twill be when I'm aground
These yearly duns will still go round,
While other bards, with frantic quills,
Shall damn and damn these annual bills!
In a list
A contest entry
- 1,000 points for your Gold winning entry into this challenging contest! by waydownuponjoy.
1750 points, ended July 28, 2008, 11 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 25 of 25
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Hey there you go a gold, When I paid bill years ago I felt the same way if not worst. It seems like you work dawn to dusk now, away from home to much. But you do what you gatta do.
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I loved it!!!!!!
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GREAT WORK LEO!
I liked what I read here! I too am in debt but can't help with those bills! Great job on expressing your frustrated feelings! CONGRATULATIONS on the gold too!!
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Oh Leo! what brilliant work, and a most pleasureable read. I can relate with both you and Twain, though I do say your write is better than his
Congratulations on the well deserved gold!
Blessings,
Sassy
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I was pleased to see ...
that you won the Gold for this take-off poem from one of my favorite writers who had not only a sense of humor but a sense of good sense for good thinking as he not only observed his world but the world around him from a unique point of view. Congratulations! joy
Jonathan Robin also made a great little poem in his comments to yours!
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a very good continuation of Twain's work. A very enjoyable read.
Rory
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An enjoyable write. I'm sure many people, APers and beyond, can relate to it so well. "To work like mad from dusk to dawn" and all you have to show for it is rent and utilities. That's how I felt earlier this year though I am a bit more comfortable now.
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A Genuine Masterpiece!!!
Wishing you the best of luck in this contest!!!
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A worthy compliment of Twain's poem. Well done!
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Daily Couplets
Monday Morning, full of dread, we pray
the postman no new bills will bring our way.
Tuesday brings no more, and still we wait
while writing verses making light of weight.
Wednesday wears on, wilts, no more to bloom,
while wor[l]ds spin out till they themselves entomb.
Thursday’s thunder mocks the toiling throng, -
its joys as passing as dream hours seem long.
Friday freedom offers those who, tired,
for weekends long when, working week expired,
they taste on Saturday the just reward
of toil and trouble, free from all discord.
Sunday is a pillow-time between
the week to come and that which has just been ...
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Flowed so well in the same style of Twain, it could be added to his and no one would know the difference. Well done!
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A sign of the times that the month is often longer than the money seems to stretch.
Next will be the fortnightly bills so soon we wil be back to the good old days of paying every day (oh but we do that now don't we).
Keep up the good work. -
Poetry is a voice of realities of life too...not all fairies and raonbows...but the struggle of the ends...so very well done here...classic stylings...PK
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I love the way Twain's work, and your life related so well that you could weave such a wonder. I think money is to be spent so, that's what I do. Hubby's money pays the bills over here. Thank God! My money buys food, things for the house, and me.
The best to you in the challenge. This looks to be an easy win. Brilliant!
Always ♥
Renee
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Very well written my friend. But, what would we do if we had no bills?? Good luck in the contest.
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its good
this is a funny poem and inspireing lol hope you keep going for years to come -
Leo, Leo, Leo ...
get to plow your piece of land
and plant potatoes by own hand
then get a cow for you to pour
your healthy drink at dawn, at four
stay sober on milk and soft mash
and turn then every bill to cash!
Love
Myra
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Gee, Leo... where did you ever come up with the idea that there are monthly bills
What a well written poem, and right on, too. We're retired so don't 'work' anymore... so how come we still have bills??!! Life is so unrealistic sometimes, huh.
Good luck in the contest
Dee
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Hmmm.....those annual bills?? Annual would make our bills more bearable in this day and age. Well Leo, you have nailed this one perfectly. Not only in tone, but meter and what a great bookend to Mark Twain's poem. You are so talented.
Michelle
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You're working Leo? Do tell, I'm sure your job is good for a poem or three.
You'd make Twain proud of you,huh. -
Yo have managed to express the thoughts of millions of frustrated people around the world very accurately and beautifully. I love the rhythm of the poem, it's a wonderful piece.
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I sometimes wonder why I work if at the end of the month not much is left in my wallet. Makes me go grrrr, specially because I'm not a big spender.
You have here such a good inspired poem, followed the thoughts of the original and still maintained your own voice throughout your poem.
Well done Leo!
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Most of us suffer the same fate.Every monday morning I think "Here I go again.working to line someone elses pockets", when in realiety they are doing just the same as us.There are a few who don't but I suspect they are no happier for it.Take heart my friend that you are not alone, Ros
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ooohhh, this is so intresting, i enjoyed reading this so much, your words captivate the reader well
wonderfully done and good luck in the contest, as well with your future finance lol
stephanie
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VERY GOOD WRITE"""
A VERY WELL-WRITTEN POEM, AS WELL AS HUMOROUS..I ONCE WROTE A POEM@THE UTILITY COMPANIES, MYSELF.. I MIGHT DIG IT BK. UP & POST IT..I ENJOYED THIS CUTE, AND FUNNY WRITE, VERY MUCH..."GOD BLESS"...LOVE, SHIRLEY ANN SHAW-RAYTOWN,MO...
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