POEMS by Rodney John O'Brien

Tigers

I saw two crazy tigers,
In the middle of the street.
They were playing music,
And dancing to the beat.

They had their music really loud,
As loud as it could be.
They didn't see me hiding there,
Behind that clump of trees.

They stopped just for a moment
Put their noses in the air,
They sniffed, and sniffed, and looked about,
To see, just who was there.

They walked in my direction,
One growled and yelled out loud.
"Who's ever hiding in those trees,
Had better come out now"

I yelled out, "Sorry tigers,
It's me, I meant no harm."
Then the biggest of the tigers,
Grabbed me by the arm.

He took me to the other one,
And said, this is what we'll do.
Because you came and spied on us,
We're gunna', put you in our stew.

I said that I was sorry,
I've never seen two tigers dance.
I just had to stop and have a look,
And you kept me in a trance.

They said that's why we do it,
We like to dance in front of trees.
Because it makes it easy,
To catch someone for our tea.

©R.J.O'Brien 26 January 1998


What Is It

Is "IT" here?
Is "IT" there?
Does "IT" bother?
Does "IT" care?

Is "IT" green?
Is "IT" blue?
Is "IT" me?
Is "IT" you?

Is "IT" fat?
Or is "IT" thin?
Should we kick-
"IT" in the bin?

Is "IT" short?
Is "IT" tall?
Maybe "IT's" not-
They're at all.

Has "IT" got zits?
Has "IT" got lice?
Maybe "IT's" cute,
Maybe "IT's" nice.

Let's make a noise,
Let's make a fuss,
Can we be sure?
"ITs' not, one of us?

Do you wonder?
What "IT" could be,
I'm gunna' tell ya,
"IT" is! ME.

Give "IT" a hug,
And kiss "IT" too,
You'll be glad.
'Cos "IT" loves you.

©R.J.O’Brien November 14, 1997