Counting the Stars

Fred spent his childhood playing guitars,
Hunting for rabbits and counting the stars;
When he got older he sat around bars
Drinking tequila and smoking cigars.
Then somebody told him they thought he was dumb
And he knew that at last his moment had come -
He constructed a rocket and travelled to Mars
And that's where you'll find him watching the stars.

Fred was unusual, give him his due,
He certainly achieved more than me or you,
He didn't waste money on girls or fast cars,
He knew that his talent was in counting the stars.
So if you're depressed and haven't a clue
Just think about Fred and you'll know what to do,
Don't waste all your money on girls and fast cars,
Just relax and be happy counting the stars!

poem by John Thorkild Ellison
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

A Song of Encouragement for the New Year

Think of all the fun you had
When you were just a little lad!
Doesn't it seem a wee bit sad
That everything has turned out bad?

Now that you are old and grey
There are no more innocent games to play,
Your chances all have slipped away
So get down on your knees and pray,

Yes, pray that now you're fifty-eight
You won't give in to Grinning Fate,
You won't admit that it's too late
But you'll dance and sing and celebrate!

The gods may like to mock our schemes,
Make childhood hopes just empty dreams,
Darkness is all around, it seems,
But at the end of the tunnel a white light gleams,

[...] Read more

poem by John Thorkild Ellison
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

My Suicide Note

You ask me if I'm OK,
Well what on earth do you think?
It's the end of another awful day
And I'm drowning myself in drink.

You tell me I'm just weak,
Well, how on earth would you know?
You've got one helluva cheek -
Get out now, go on, go! !

This is an insidious death,
I'm committing gradual suicide,
You may as well save your breath,
Even a drunkard has pride.

I never dreamt it would end like this,
I hoped for so much more,
A tender touch and a lover's kiss
Instead of some sad. old whore.

[...] Read more

poem by John Thorkild Ellison
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

For Godsake Hold Your Tongue and Let Me Love

Please be quiet, little friend,
You're driving me right round the bend!
I'm sick and tired of your whining voice,
You're giving me no other choice
But to slam the door and go outside
Which really hurts my foolish pride.
You're keen to voice your point of view
But for Heaven's sake I have feelings too!
When will you ever give me peace?
When will your petty grumblings cease?
Don't you remember there was a time
We loved each other very much,
We trembled at each other's touch
And quarrelling just seemed a crime?
I've really had enough of this!
Let's banish anger with a kiss,
Either that or go to bed -
Shut up, my love, enough's been said! !

[...] Read more

poem by John Thorkild Ellison
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

My Little Cat

My little cat nags me like a bad conscience
And I'm guilty of loving her too much,
She follows me around the house all day
Wanting to sit on my knee, and when I touch
Her she starts purring, as if to say
'Is it asking too much
That you should love me all the time
And give me your undivided attention?
Is that a crime? I am your mistress now,
You should pander to my every wish!
I want chicken every day and fish
And warm, clean blankets to lie on.
You've got to realise who rules this house,
You must confess
You love this servitude
And my cunning feline domination! '
That's what she says
And I have this realization
That perhaps I'm no more than a mouse
Running hither and thither

[...] Read more

poem by John Thorkild Ellison
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

Dreaming and the Cosmic Joke

I dreamt last night the world had changed
And everything was rearranged,

That Gordon Brown in his despair
Had sold his soul to Tony Blair,

That Putin made a vow of peace
And said the KGB must cease,

And Benedict, the Panzer Pope,
Was cottaging and smoking dope.

I dreamt Madonna became a nun,
Saying fame and riches were no fun,

Bob Dylan said he'd had enough
And all his lyrics were just bluff,

While Michael Jackson was a saint
Whose love of children was so quaint.

[...] Read more

poem by John Thorkild Ellison
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

His Love Is Diagnosed with a Serious Illness

I love to listen when the blackbird sings
His sweet, sweet song which always brings
New hope to the heart, but what can I say,
There is such sorrow at the end of the day
As he lies there suffering with his broken wings! !
You bring me joy and lighten my heart
When I see you again after being apart,
So I think it's one of the most terrible things
That, like my blackbird, you have broken wings!
I curse the gods who give us such pain,
Who ruin our lives and drive men insane.
What the doctor told you is bound to depress
You, it's horrible and I must confess
I don't know what I can do, unless
You accept my love, because my heart says 'Yes,
I love you much more than you'll ever guess,
And I wish I could help you out of this mess! ! '

poem by John Thorkild Ellison
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

Beyond Reason (A Metaphysical Poem)

What shall we say in our confusion
If even Buddhism is an illusion,
If Jesus and Satan are hand in glove
And Kali (Destroyer) is full of love?

Shall we believe in Jean-Paul Sartre
Or simply dissolve in helpless laughter
That men could think they can explain
What drove the Prophets half-insane?

The answer to it all, my friend,
Is that our questions have no end,
It's really simple, take my word,
Our lives and deaths are quite Absurd!

And yet, you say, that cannot be,
My spirit TASTES Eternity,
And though it is beyond all reason
And intellect will call it treason,

[...] Read more

poem by John Thorkild Ellison
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

Driven to Suicide

A man they knew was a little bit fey
And a little bit strange, so they locked him away,
They took all the freedom and joy from his life
So he ended it all with the blade of a knife.

They were well-regarded, such decent folk -
When I think of it now it's all a sick joke,
They ruined his life and destroyed his mind,
They pretended they were loving, understanding and kind.

I knew him well, he was my best friend
And I cannot believe that his torment should end
In the horror and madness of his suicide -
I'd really much rather it was me who died.

Beware of your brother or sister or wife,
Who may value your money more than your life,
Pray to the Lord That He'll spare you from death
Because you may be praying with your very last breath!

poem by John Thorkild Ellison
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

A Fool's Requiem

O God, please stop the endless flow
Of cliches from this poet's pen -
In case you didn't already know
He's fallen deep in love again! !

From far and wide throughout the land
I hear his faithful readers yawn -
Perhaps his verses should be banned,
I doubt if anyone would mourn!

It's time he pulled himself together
And took control of his roving eyes,
In rain or sun, whatever the weather
We hear his lost self-pitying cries.

Roll on the time of his dementia!
Forgive me, friends, but I need a break
From hearing about true love's adventure,
The endless tears and the poor heart's ache!

[...] Read more

poem by John Thorkild Ellison
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!