Alfie the Toad(rough version)
Category: Writing and Poetry

Alfie the toad       all rights reserved 2008©Giles Paley-Phillips

In the zoo, along my road,

There lives this creature, Alfie the toad,

He really is a peculiar sort,

'cause what was found when he got caught,

Is that he stinks of horrible stuff,

You have never smelt a thing so rough,

Like rotten eggs crossed with peas,

Big cow pats and moldy cheese.

Even when he'd been scrubbed sore,

He still stank of sewage that's raw.

On the day he was put out,

The visitors couldn't help but shout,

"What is that stink? It's making us sick,

It's that smelly toad, destroy it quick."

Holding their noses, they climbed in his tank

Then one by one, each started to stamp.

But Alfred was quick and sprung into action,

To flee this scene was his gut reaction.

He leaped in the air with the greatest of ease,

But it wasn't long till his stench caught the breeze.

The streets turned to bedlam as Alfie hopped by,

People were fleeing with a tear in their eye.

Alfie felt sad and so very alone,

If only he had a wife and a home.

Tired and weary by the edge of the town,

Alfie discovered a well to look down.

A foul aroma hit him square in the face,

It was sweet to his nose, distinct, out of place,

The wafts from the stench soon started to clear,

And a lady toad began to appear.

"At last," he said, " A companion in life,

Please do me the honor of being my wife.

And they lived happily ever after,

A life filled with foul smells and laughter.

5:56 PM - 13 Comments - 22 Kudos - Add Comment

Balloon and me
Category: Writing and Poetry

Balloon and Me   All rights reserved 2008©Giles Paley-Phillips

In the park the other day,

I bought a balloon and floated away.

Lots of people stood and gasped,

at balloon and me sailing past

Up above the trees and houses,

Such shock a flying boy arouses.

Over fields with grazing sheep,

over crops of corn and wheat,

over buses, cars and trains,

over clouds and soaring planes.

Higher, higher, higher, we'd fly,

Until we're up above the sky.

Balloon took me through outer space,

(it's a very dark and spooky place).

past the moon, and then past mars,

and in and out of twinkling stars.

suddenly I saw the strangest thing,

a hundred balloons attached to string,

and hanging on for their very lives,

were girls and boys with tearful eyes.

I said, "Aren't you having fun?"

"No" they cried, pointing to the sun.

I hadn't noticed how close we'd got,

To that blazing ball that makes us hot.

I thought to myself we need an idea,

or else we'll melt in this atmosphere.

I remembered what my teacher told me,

about this thing called gravity:

"Whatever goes up must come down",

I explained with a thoughtful frown.

"If we can combine our total weight,

There's a chance to avoid a fiery fate".

So they held my hand and one by one,

Released their balloons, which burst on the sun.

And with my balloon we sailed back to earth,

Landing with a bump on soft grassy turf.

And never again will you hear us say,

"Please can I buy a balloon today?"

4:24 AM - 11 Comments - 20 Kudos - Add Comment

wendell the amazing singing sheep(new and improved)
Category: Writing and Poetry

Wendell the amazing singing sheep all rights reserved 2008 Giles Paley-Phillips

Wendell is not like other sheep
He doesn't baa, he doesn't bleat.
What he loves to do is sing,
It really is his favourite thing.

But sadly for the other sheep,
His singing sounds more like a shriek.
Whenever he starts up a tune
The other sheep stomp and fume.
------------------------------
The oldest sheep, whose name was Dan,
Hatched a very cunning plan
to give their ears a welcome break
and maybe sooth their heads that ache

He said to Wendell, "what a thrill
To sing up high upon that hill,
For everyone around to hear,
Your lovely singing loud and clear.

Wendell didn't think he should
He'd have to go through Bluebell wood
Where lives, they say, a hungry troll
who'd surely try to eat him whole!

"Now don't you worry," old Dan said,
"If you pass by his woodland bed,
Just sing to him your favourite song,
And he will let you pass along".

"Ok" said Wendell, "I shall go,
And when you hear my song you'll know,
That I have passed that hungry troll
And I have reached my final goal.

As Wendell disappeared from sight
The others cheered with all their might,
"Wendell will be eaten whole,
When he sings to that troll.

At last our ears will have a break,
and our heads no longer ache.
Moving as swiftly as he could,
Wendell entered Bluebell wood.


.But soon he noticed through the trees
A bed made out of sticks and leaves,
And sleeping on a horse hair rug,
Covered with a sheepskin shrug ….

An ugly troll with rotten teeth,
and drooling bottom lip beneath.

3:29 PM - 11 Comments - 20 Kudos - Add Comment

plop!(new version)
Category: Writing and Poetry

Plop! All rights reserved 2008©Giles Paley-Phillips

One summer's day on a whim,

Rabbit decided to go for a swim.

He thought about the perfect place,

For taking a swim it would be ace".

A shaded pool near the big fruit trees,

Where the air is cooled by a lovely breeze.

He wandered along humming a tune,

Hoping to arrive there soon.

But alas when rabbit was getting near

A terrible sound struck him with fear,

the sort of sound to make any heart stop

The most gigantic, deafening Plop.

Rabbit ran as fast as he could

right into a nearby wood.

Squirrel, who was strolling about

Saw rabbit and gave a shout.

"Where are you going, with such great speed?"

Rabbit replied, "Please follow my lead,

A monster called plop is coming this way,

I just heard him down at the pool today,

My fear and dread I can't conceal,

I think plop is looking for his next meal.

The squirrel replied, "That's just my luck,

To have a monster gobble me up".

Now there were two animals on the run

Not wanting to be in plop's fat tum.

Zooming passed a fallen log,

The pair noticed a lazy frog,

Who hollered to them "what's all the hurry?"

Squirrel replied, "Its time to scurry,

A monster called plop is coming this way

Rabbit heard him at the pool today.

Our fear and dread we can't conceal

We think plop is looking for his next meal.

Frog hopped down and followed too,

Not really knowing what else to do.

Now there were three animals on the run

Not wanting to be in plop's fat tum.

They passed right by big brown bear

Whose head appeared from his dark lair,

He gave them all a mighty roar,

"What are you lot running for?"

Frog replied "brown bear, you must,

Get up and run away with us,

A monster called plop is coming this way,

Rabbit heard him by the pool today.

Our fear and dread we can't conceal

We think plop is looking for his next meal.

brown bear went pale and started to quiver

The thought of being eaten gave him a shiver.

Now there were four animals on the run,

Not wanting to be in plop's fat tum.

By chance a very clever fox,

Whilst hanging out his favourite socks,

Did see these creatures dashing by

He smiled then said "can I ask why,

You feel the need to run about,

to roar and holler and even shout.

Brown bear gave a nervous reply,

"Dear fox you really need to fly,

A monster called plop is coming this way

Rabbit heard him at the pool today.

Our fear and dread we can't conceal

We think plop is looking for his next meal.

"A monster?" said the Fox, "Down at the pool,

Rabbit you really are a fool,

What you say is quite absurd

It wasn't a monster that you heard.

Whenever there is a lovely breeze

A large fruit drops down from the trees,

And lands in the water with a deafening plop

That was the sound that made your heart stop.

You see" said the fox "no monster at all",

it's perfectly safe to swim in that pool,

So let's all go and splash in the water".

fox's plans you just couldn't falter".

But Rabbit thought, "For being so dim,

That's the last time I ever go for a swim".

And perhaps rabbit was right to refrain,

for he never saw any of others again!

7:49 PM - 17 Comments - 32 Kudos - Add Comment

Rabbit sized brains(new)
Category: Writing and Poetry

Rabbit sized brains    All rights reserved 2008©Giles Paley-Phillips

One day when fox was roaming about

he fell in a hole and couldn't get out.

A rabbit that was walking by

Heard fox's woeful cry,

And said "even though I'm small,

Is there any way I can help at all?"

Fox replied "please be quick,

find some sort of longish stick

to place inside this great big hole

for me to use as a climbing pole.

rabbit looked over the  ground

There were many branches lying around.

It didn't take him very long

To find one that was thick and strong.

But just as he held out the branch

Rabbit gave fox a second glance

he'd remembered one of fox's habits,

Is devouring small and helpful rabbits.

Fox shouted "what are you waiting for

Its getting late and my leg is sore"

Rabbit replied "if I help you,

You mustn't turn me into rabbit stew".

"ok", said fox "whatever you say,

If you help me, I'll be on my way".

So rabbit placed the longish branch

But it's not very wise to give foxes a chance

For as soon as fox had been set free

He decided he wanted rabbit for tea.

"It's hard" announced fox "to break one's habits

when it comes to eating helpful rabbits.

Now please don't try to writhe or wriggle

Or I'll eat you slowly nibble by nibble.

brown bear who was sleeping by the trees

Awoke to hear a rabbit's pleas.

"what's all this noise" brown bear said

"you've aroused me from my woodland bed"

 Rabbit cried "that fox told me,

He'd not eat me up, if I set him free.

 "Well fox", growled bear, "is this true?

That you are planning a rabbit stew?

Fox replied "don't listen to him,

Rabbits are famous for being dim"

"I'll be the judge of that" snapped bear.

Tell me what happened, and show me where."

"I fell down this great big hole you see,

Explained the fox quite gingerly.

brown bear said "that's such bad luck,

how did you manage to get so stuck?"

"like this" said fox, then he did a jump

landing back in the hole with a mighty thump.

Brown bear said to Rabbit "it's now up to you

To make a decision on what to do,

Do you leave fox to consider his luck,

Or do you help him out and be eaten up?

rabbit didn't take long to decide

He wouldn't help a fox who'd already lied.

"Good choice," said Brown bear," now follow me

We'll go to my lair for a nice cup of tea."

So off they went through the woods together

rabbit and brown bear, feeling ever so clever.

And down that hole the fox still remains,

Wishing he'd been born with Rabbit sized brains.

3:08 PM - 16 Comments - 28 Kudos - Add Comment

Doris and Boris (revised)
Category: Writing and Poetry

Doris and Boris

Doris and Boris were two of a kind,

Doris had web feet and Boris was blind.

Two cats like these, you never did see,

Doris would swim, while Boris ate bees.

Together they lived inside the church steeple.

The sounds of their purrs were loved by the people.

One fine day, the vicar came by,

He was a big fat man, who loved to eat pie.

It was the time of year for the annual clean,

the vicar was thorough and really quite mean

He didn't like cats, they made him sneeze,

so he set up a trap to catch them with cheese.

The smell was so strong, that the cats felt funny,

a sickly feeling, down in the tummy.

They fell to the ground, one by one,

the vicar was pleased by what he had done.

At last, he thought, my nose can now rest,

any more sneezing, would cause a real mess.

But Just as he turned around to leave,

Doris woke up and jumped on his sleeve.

Round and round, the vicar, he swung,

then Boris jumped up and bit at his bum.

Such cries of pain you never did hear,

the vicar's scars would be quite severe.

He ran out the door and never returned,

Thankful for the lesson he'd learned-

that trying to catch two cats like these,

you really need much stronger cheese.

Doris and Boris were two of a kind,

Doris hid food, which Boris would find.

Two cats like these you never did see,

Doris grew plants which Boris would weed

Together they lived inside the church steeple.

The sounds of their purrs were loved by the people.

5:57 AM - 44 Comments - 63 Kudos - Add Comment

a garden love story
Category: Writing and Poetry

a garden love story

They fell in love that day,

at the bottom of the garden,

where the leaves lay moist,

on the soil that had hardened.

He was a rake,

and she was a patch of grass,

from the moment they meet,

they knew their love wouldn't last.

Cause along came the mower,

shredding her to bits,

this machine was very hungry,

needing more than just her tips.

The rake was so upset,

that he flung himself down,

to die with his beloved,

on a smelly compost mound.

all rights reserved © 2008 Giles Paley-Phillips

1:31 AM - 24 Comments - 40 Kudos - Add Comment

card
Category: Writing and Poetry

Card

Life can be so dreadfully hard

When your hands and feet are made out of card

Its impossible to write or tie up your shoes,

Or run around or change a fuse,

But please don't despair, even though it sounds barmy

This could be your big chance to learn origami

all rights reserved © 2008 Giles Paley-Phillips

1:16 AM - 18 Comments - 37 Kudos - Add Comment

i’ve fallen in a dank dark well
Category: Writing and Poetry

I've fallen inside a dank dark well

I've fallen inside a dank dark well,

which isn't the nicest place to dwell,

cause there is a rather rancid smell

and I'm starting to really feel unwell

if only I had a noisey bell

so I could attract a boy or girl

to help me out, that'd be real swell

but I'm thinking I'll never escape this hell

how grim it is, if truth to tell

to be stuck down here in this dank dark well

7:15 AM - 17 Comments - 25 Kudos - Add Comment

The boy who was awful at magic
Category: Writing and Poetry

The boy who was awful at magic

There once was a boy, who was awful at magic,

Who's one and only trick, was nearly quite tragic.

After months and months of perfecting his craft,

He attempted to saw an old lady in half,

As he started to saw, he knew something was wrong,

Whoops, he thought, there's no safety catch on!

The old lady screamed at the sight of the blood,

As magicians go, this boy was a dud.

The audience were in shock and as quiet as a mouse,

The boy began to shout "is there a doctor in the house?"

A doctor rushed forth and said "I shall endeavour,

To perform the greatest trick, and sew her back together".

8:19 AM - 30 Comments - 42 Kudos - Add Comment

Frankenstein’s birthday party
Category: Writing and Poetry

Frankenstein's birthday party

At Frankenstein's birthday party

The feast they ate was ever so hearty

Human fingers in ice cream,

Jellied hearts and roasted spleen.

The wolf man had his favourite dish,

of pickled eyes with stir-fried wrists.

Dr Jekyll just couldn't decide,

What food was best for Mr Hyde.

Dracula was the fussiest sort

Only drinking the blood he'd brought,

A curious choice-the blood of a boffin,

A special home brew he made in his coffin.

They played a game of musical chairs

Frankenstein cheated, but nobody cared.

And just before night turned to day,

Frank got up and started to say,

"Thank you all for coming mates,

and don't leave without some kidney cakes.

8:17 AM - 15 Comments - 26 Kudos - Add Comment

http://www.redefinemag.com/print/13.html
Category: Writing and Poetry

http://www.redefinemag.com/print/13.html for info on linear hymns

10:06 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

review for Linear Hymns from Boston
Category: Writing and Poetry

http://dougholder.blogspot.com/2006/06/linear-hymns.html  another review for Linear Hymns from a boston peotry blog.

thanks

2:04 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

leukaemia research fund and information on Linear Hymns
Category: Writing and Poetry

please vist the leukaemia reserch fund website and support Linear Hymns

http://www.lrf.org.uk/en/1/inyeve.html

thank you.

3:40 AM - 5 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

www.blacklistedmagazine.com
Category: Writing and Poetry

www.blacklistedmagazine.com

march issue of poetry magazine featuring the poem "Korean", taken from the book Linear Hymns by Giles Paley-Phillips

thank you

3:21 PM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment