To continue my series of poems based on famous first lines, this time I’ve chosen the Nation’s second most favoured poem from the BBC’s poll of ten years or so ago: The Lady Of Shallot by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. If you don’t know it, please find it here.
In Which No Vegetables Were Harmed
‘On either side the river lie’
Begins this poem, by and by
He tells us as we pass them by
On summer days, those young men sigh
And dream of love and chicken pie
Which we like a bit, but not a lot.
It’s such a drippy thing, you see
This traipsing o’er field and lea
And still we’re home in time for tea;
But the toilet’s blocked, I need a wee
And what’s the point of rhymes if the
Poet is losing the bloody plot.
I’m well aware that some may cuss,
Call me stupid, ignoramus
And wish me fall under a bus.
I’ll stand my ground; I’m no wuss
I’m quite prepared to make a fuss
But all in all, I’d rather not.
I don’t need numpty’s to tell me why
Tennyson was one of those guys
For whom Shallots aren’t found in pies;
I can see it with my own eyes
Written large across the skies.
I’m really not an uncultured clot.
It maybe skill that I lack
I’m just another poetry hack
But at least I do have a crack
Even if it might sometimes smack
Of desperation. And I’ll back
Myself against the smartest Bot.
Any day.
Images of Dog and the garden today. London is hot…
TanGental 
Ooh, this verse is making me choose which I like better… Dog or it. (grrrr) 🙂
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Most people find that easy…. Dog
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Crack and Bot in the same verse?
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At least you do have a crack. Bravo!
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Well yes I crack up sometimes..
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Lol!
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Too funny, Geoff!! Enjoy the weather!
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Thank you. Trying to cope with the heat.
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If you can’t then let’s change places… I don’t mind 30 or 35 °C…
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Having a crack is better than not, and, the crack, you know, is where the light gets in – so said Leonard Cohen! It may be hot, but Milo looks SO happy!! And the garden is a delight!! And the poem made me happy…..
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All good then. Btw a copy of Apprenticed is in the post flying South for winter
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Thank you so much! 🙂
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Lovely pictures. I’m not sure I got all the humour, it’s late and I’m feeling dense…
So glad it’s summer in London. I think you missed out last year.
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Nah it’s my poetry I’m sure and you do need to know the original which is not impose on any One having had to study it at school
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Meanderings around the gardens and Tennyson, and still Dog steals the show.
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I know. Don’t work with animals hey?
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I loved it, very funny. And that is a most adorable Dog too. Stay cool over there (says I, over in Ohio in the U.S.)
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Thanks Cherilyn. Dog sends his best. Pretty much evaporated poor thing
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Bravo, sir. Bravo! 🙂
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Thank you!
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how could I not love this lol!
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Thanks so much. Much appreciated
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Very nice Geoff, lived the photos too💜💜
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