Billy The Brute

The storm's messing with my muse causing trouble :)

When he read a bedtime story
it was Dad who forewarned me,
showing with assorted pictures
in bright paintbox colours,
how three pink little piggies
had to run for cover at top speed
because the big bad sharp toothed wolf,
hungry for succulent tender flesh
had huffed and puffed until he blew
the guts out of their cosy home.

This morning I discovered Billy,
yes Billy wind without the help of a wolf
who howled his heart out yesterday,
had left our roof firmly on its shoulders
but blown all the white petalled skirts
clean off my pretty cyclamen plants
hiding in a sheltered garden spot,
leaving them naked and shivering
in quiet shame.

Reviews

[lakinbob]

Well, at least it blew the leaves of the line, not that it made any difference, I was still an hour plus late for work this morning. I wonder how we'd cope in the kind of storms other less fortunate countries suffer through. Not ever so well I imagine.

And don't fret about the cyclamen, we all know the amazing recovery powers of nature. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Our trains sadly don"t have a good record when it comes to timing. True, at least the leaves were blown away, so leaves on the line couldn't be used as an excuse. Trees on the line, more serious. We don't cope well with our inclement weather as a nation do we? Elsewhere they appear far more prepared. Look at China building a 1000 bed hospital in ten days. Makes us look pretty feeble. Ah the garden plants, yes they will pull through. Thanks for reading, your visit appreciated.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

The lovely creativity of your last five lines is awe-inspiring.
Great poem!--with an even greater wrap-up.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jimmy. Your reviews always leave me feeling encouraged. You are much appreciated.

Chris

[barleygirl]

I hate wind (we get often along the coast) & I love cyclamen (pink ones nowadays fluttering fully!) so this poem is right in my bailiwick of compassion! I hate it when my rosebushes are perfectly adorned & everything gets blown off (cyclamen protected on patio). I love your tie-in to the bad wolf blowing the house down . . . you've personified the predatory personality of wind raping & pillaging your naked cyclamen! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Margie, so you like cyclamen too? I bought some cyclamen plants from our local garden centre in November. They were cheap and well past their best, but they have been nurtured. Even though the skirts of some were blown away by that wicked wind, I am pleased to say, there are new blooms now finding their way to the surface. All good wishes winging their way across the waters.(((.)))

Chris

Chris

[McEltic]

Bullies come in all shapes and sizes, here, if it’s not the wind or rain, then it’s the rabbits chewing down the greens or the squirrels digging up the bulbs :)

[Chris Shaw]

Ha, I like your sense of humour. Quite a problem eh, if you happen to be a gardner? I appreciate all the attention you have given to my poetry today. Will pay a visit to you soon.

Chris

[Carolynn]

Shame on Billy - if I catch up with him I’ll clobber him over the head with a brick! How dare he leave your poor plants naked and shivering!!

[Chris Shaw]

A little bit of whimsy here Carolynn. Thank you for your comments. All good wishes.

Chris

[Eilis]

A bit of whimsy in a tough moment, Chris. I like the personification of the brutish storm. We have a lot of windstorms here, but I never get used to it. And you never know what the casualty will be.

To lose the beautiful petals of the cyclamen patch at such a time of year when their sign of life is desperately needed is a true disappointment. Hopefully you'll soon have a lot more beautiful blooms to admire. And a lot less stormy weather to impact your days.

I really enjoyed the connection to childhood stories in this, and the way you wove everything together. A great poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Eilis, your reviews are always so encouraging. I thank you for that. It means a great deal.

Chris

[Re-Pete]

the winds of life can be cruel. i like how you breathe a new life into a timeless classic albeit destructively.
quite a difference between the inocuous pages of a storybook and your flowerbed. after all, nature is smart and resilient, as was the piggy that used brick instead of straw. great write ...

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Pete for your encouragement on this piece of whimsy where I found myself drifting back in time.

Chris

[AJNJ]

Your poetry tells me you have great observational powers and the skill to convert it all into very readworthy poetry. Your wit and clarity of thought is great too. I enjoyed reading this very much.

[Chris Shaw]

That's a lovely review and I appreciate it very much. Thank you.

Chris

[AJNJ]

Welcome & keep writing.

[Paris Hlad]

I failed to mention above ... Thanks for commenting on my work.

[Chris Shaw]

It was a pleasure :)

[R.E. Ray]

Nature reminds us daily of its beauty and occasionally of its ugliness and cruelty. I suppose we can find some comfort knowing neither nature nor Billy has a conscience. Who or what could do such cruel things? Another extraordinary write, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Robert. I always appreciate your visits and your thoughts. Nature can be incredibly cruel.

Chris

[R.E. Ray]

You’re welcome, Chris.

[Verse]

Oh, and cyclamen leaves are so delicate... the nerve!!! 😢😢

Loved this write for its flow and good humour in adversity, Christine. Praying for all of England right now.

V

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Verse for your visit. Your thoughts appreciated.

Chris