The Ottoman
At the foot of my parents bed was an ottoman,
it was old fashioned, but solid and sound.
My father said it had been locked for a reason,
to stop children from nosing around.
This unusual ottoman kind of haunted me
and I was curious to look inside.
One morning I found a key in the green house
and it looked like the ottoman’s size
Within minutes I was face to face with the ottoman,
the key turned the lock, so I took a peek.
A burning light shone at the bottom of a stairway;
so this was the secret my father wished to keep.
My burning curiosity had got the better of me,
so I lifted the lid wider and got inside.
Down the steps I ventured with caution,
my ears twitching, and eyes open wide.
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poem by Orlando Belo
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The Cuckoo Clock
The cuckoo flew out of the clock
and landed on the arm chair.
It looked me in the eye and said,
“I’m not going back in there!
People expect too much of me,
going back and forth all day.
I’m not going back inside.
No! Never! No way.
The clock’s none stop ticking
has made my head feel sore
Calling ‘cuckoo’ 24-7 it’s too much,
I’m not doing it any more.
I want to breathe the fresh air,
and feel the rain and sun.
I want to be able to fly around
and enjoy proper cuckoo fun.
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poem by Orlando Belo
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The Polar Bear
The polar bear sat by the hole he had made in the frozen ice
patiently he waited for something really tasty and nice.
A baby seal jumped through the hole to fill its lungs with air
shaking the water from its bright red sweater it sat next to the bear.
“It’s nice of you to join me young seal I’m about to have some supper.”
“How kind of you Mr Polar Bear could we begin with a cuppa? ”
“We’ll begin with a seafood delight and it’s wearing a bright red sweater.”
The seal gulped and said, “Let’s not be hasty, I know of something better.”
“Now then seal what could be better than a seal in a bright red sweater”?
“Oh, I know of a scrumptious delicacy in the sea that is so much better.”
“And I suppose this delight is just swimming around on the ocean floor? ”
“Of course not Mr Bear, it’s in a sunken ship, hiding behind a door.
It’s mouth wateringly juicier, much sweeter, larger and tender,
I’ll invite it for supper, now that’s the best offer I can render? ”
“I’m not falling for that old trick; I could end up without my supper? ”
“But Mr Bear as a guarantee, I’ll leave you with my new sweater.
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poem by Orlando Belo
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Please Show Me A Way
I’ve been feeling depressed and empty inside
so I’ve come in here to think and hide.
I would like to have a few words with you,
because listening is what you’re supposed to do.
Even though I’ve not been here before,
I can feel your presence and that’s for sure.
You fill this place you’re everywhere
and I’ve been told that you really care.
It maybe too late, but please hear what I say
and if you can’t help I’ll walk away.
I’ve found myself drowning in life’s whirlpool,
because I’ve been so heartless and cruel.
I’ve been evil for most of my living years,
never have regrets or consider tears.
I’ve kicked people when they were down and out
and back stabbed friends without a doubt.
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poem by Orlando Belo
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A Musical Note
Liddle lie, liddle lie, liddle lie lay lee.
Liddle lie, liddle lie, liddle lie lay low.
These are the words that were sent to me
in a letter from my brother-in-law-Joe.
He said as the cock-crowed last Tuesday morning
he heard singing coming from down his garden.
Surprised and not believing what he was hearing
he went to see where the sound was coming from.
As he casually walked to the bottom of the garden
the singing became louder with his every stride.
He slowly parted the branches of the hedgerow
and saw a toad and mouse sitting side by side.
The toad sat cross-legged on a spotted toadstool
playing a mandolin and singing out loud.
The mouse was clapping in time to the music,
as were other animals that made up the crowd.
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poem by Orlando Belo
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He Who Hesitates
I knew it was love when I first saw your face
you were younger by far, but that’s no disgrace.
When we were introduced I could see in your eyes
that you felt the same; what a great surprise.
Our respective partners were also in this uncrowded room,
so we couldn’t make a date, besides it was much too soon.
Discreetly we smiled for the next two hours or so
and your eyes told me that we had further to go.
At the end of the evening we said a polite goodnight,
but deep inside we felt that this wasn’t right.
Our paths didn’t cross again for quite a long time,
but the instant our eyes met I knew you were mine.
With butterflies in my stomach and I felt excited inside,
your eyes and smile told me that we soon had to decide.
But nothing was planned for we dared not take the chance
on breaking our partners hearts for an uncertain romance.
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poem by Orlando Belo
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The Recorded Message
Hello, I’m standing here looking up into the clear moonlit sky
a bright star stands out above the rest and I don’t know why.
Several times I’ve looked away and tried to focus elsewhere,
but each time my eyes return to this stunning heavenly glare.
Without warning all the stars have vanished except for this one,
I’ve rubbed my eyes in disbelief, but yes they have definitely gone.
Even the moon has disappeared from its place high in the sky,
but the brightness hasn’t altered and still I don’t know why.
This star seems to be zooming in and changing the night to day,
but it isn’t a normal daylight seen in the usual kind of way.
All the edges of this light are tinged with yellow and blue,
and to focus my eyes properly is very hard to do.
I’m so overwhelmed I’ve fallen backwards onto the ground
I feel foolish and embarrassed, and look quickly all around.
But there’s no one to be seen; where has everyone gone
there’s no one here to share with me what is going on.
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poem by Orlando Belo
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The Silver And Glass Pepper Pot
I was waiting for the final spin of the washing machine
and just happened to glance at the floor
when I thought something dashed behind the bucket,
so I took a look, just to make sure.
At first it looked like a sort of shadow,
something inoffensive and small,
but as soon as I moved the bucket away
it began to grow and grow, so tall.
In seconds its head and shoulders hit the ceiling,
its body almost blocked out the light.
It bent down and placed its face in front of mine,
my entire body shook with fright.
Its teeth filled mouth opened wide like a cavern,
I thought it was going to swallow me whole,
but instead it licked my face from ear to ear
the sweat from my frightened soul.
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poem by Orlando Belo
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A Most Unusual Wedding
Because the bridegroom couldn’t be found
the bride was driven continually around.
Dickie and Melanie were marrying in style;
the first chimpanzees to walk down the aisle.
A reception at the classiest hotel Torbay,
followed by a honeymoon in Zimbabwe.
The best-man also named Dickie was with the groom,
but in a nearby hospital waiting room.
Earlier that morning there had been an accident,
which left the groom’s legs broken and bent.
The best-man phoned Melanie to let her know,
so off to the hospital she did quickly go.
With both legs now in traction and suffering with pain,
Dickie the groom did his best to explain.
He also suggested that the wedding should go ahead
and she should marry the best-man instead.
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poem by Orlando Belo
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Nothing Is Missed and No Hearts Beat
I was driving home alone at the end of day
after three days of being away.
Lara sounded pleased on the telephone
that I was at last coming home.
As I accelerated out of a double bend,
beside me sat a departed friend.
How can that be my friend was dead,
was he truly here, or in my head?
“Hello Ben, I didn’t mean to startle you,
but your time on Earth is almost through.
I’m here to help you to your next chapter,
that’s what we call the life here after.”
My imagination is playing tricks with me,
I saw Charlie buried in the cemetery.
The dead are dead and can’t just reappear,
Charlie’s gone, and can’t be here.
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poem by Orlando Belo
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