(Light Verse — More Poetry with Movie Quotes)
There was once a circus elephant,
Who, although it wasn’t relevant
To his role in circus artistry,
Had a penchant, quite, for poetry,
But then, all his fellow pachyderms
Thought his hobby was a wacky yearn,
For from Mumbai unto Nairobi,
There was ne’er a poet wannabe,
Of elephant kind, in any case.
(That silliness just for human race.)
But he could not cessate his rhyming,
Nor stop his sense of comic timing,
So when one bellowed in frustration,
In his pachyderm protestation,
“Young sir! No more rhymes now! I mean it!”
‘Quipped, “Anybody want a peanut?”
© Susan Joy Clark 2021
Okay, I think I quite lost my brain with this one, but it was fun. I’m not sure if this is inspired by Ogden Nash or W.S. Gilbert, but it is, evidently, some silliness out of my own brain. dVerse recently had a challenge for poetry that included famous movie quotes. This line, “No more rhymes now! I mean it!” which was followed by “Anybody want a peanut?” from The Princess Bride immediately jumped into my brain, but then I realized, to follow the rules, we had to pick one of several quotes that were selected in advance. So, I did a poetic tribute to Back to the Future, but I thought I’d go back and see what I could do with this one. It’s kind of an interesting quote to work with, because it’s a bit of poetry itself, but I think I worked it into an entirely different context than the movie.
And for some baby elephant cuteness …
I want to cuddle that elephant now. 😀
Ha ha. Me too. It looks like fun to cuddle a baby elephant, although I think he/she would be a little heavy on your lap!
I think to rhyme is as natural as being a circus elephant… Love the story
This is, by far, my silliest poem so far, but it was fun to write. Who knows? More silliness may be coming. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Silly, but lovable.
Definitely chucklable.
I’m glad you liked it, Ken. 🙂 Thank you.
Love the silliness of the poem and after watching the video I think everyone needs their own baby elephant.
Thanks so much, Jade. 🙂 I love that baby elephant.
You’re very welcome!
This is absolutely pure joy! The pachyderm and wacky yearn rhyme nearly had me on the floor. No one loves a clever rhyme better than I, and this was splendid!
Thanks so much, Beverly. I was trying to do some multi-syllabic rhyming if possible. That’s something I’ve noticed and liked in W.S. Gilbert’s librettos and poetry. It didn’t quite work with Nairobi and wannabe, but it has the right rhythm and a rhyme for one syllable. I’m glad you enjoyed it so much and got a giggle out of it. 🙂
I could not help but chuckle at the rhyme of “pachyderm” with “whacky yearn”! Fun and silly, thank for the giggle. ~peace, Jason
🙂 I’m glad you liked it, Jason. Silly can be fun.
Yes, silly and fun are something I can learn from!
I love it! Such a fun read. You have captured the passion of a poet in a pachyderm!
Well done Susan!
Thank you, Dwight. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I like “that silliness is for humans” 🙂
🙂
This was fun! I love those last lines
🙂 I’m glad you liked it.
this is so adorable!
Thank you. I’m glad you think so. 🙂
Aww, I love this.
🙂 Thank you. I’m so glad you do.
That was fun – finished with such a flourish – ‘anybody want a peanut?’
🙂
A lovely fun poem, Susan! And what an adorable vid – now I want to spoon a baby elephant <3
It somehow looks so fun and sweet to cuddle a baby elephant. 🙂 Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem.
Well written Susan! I celebrate the veracity and power of your words. May you continue always sharing only your authentic self — that alone makes you genuine, meaningful to read, and of worth to be heard! Síocháin!
Thanks a lot, Rob, for that bit of encouragement. 🙂
A poetic pachyderm. Love it. 😀
🙂 Thank you.
Thanks for such great poetry.