Poems From the Porch 50

John is a freelance writer, ghost-writer, storyteller, and poet. He always tries to include a message or social commentary in his writing

The 50th Edition of Poems From the Porch!

Well, what can I say? This article brings up the milestone of fifty anthologies in the series, and around 170 poems prompted or suggested by you all, my friends and readers. A big thank you to everyone who has made a request or many over this time, and to anyone else who follows and reads these.

I began this series about 15 months ago and it is a testimony that it is still going strong and I don't look like running out of suggested poems yet. Many of you may have thought I had discontinued the series because this edition has been three weeks in coming, but here it is, and better late than never. Life and work got in the way a bit.

Pull up a chair and enjoy this week's poems.

The other day, we had dinner in a Mexican restaurant called "El Jefe" and my friend asked me what it meant. So I told her, The Boss. Can you please make a funny poem on El Jefe? Thanks.

— Mary Norton

"El Jefe" ~ The Boss

They call me “El Jefe”

I’m the Boss or the Chief,

So you come straight to me

With your gripe or your grief.

I’ll sort it out quick

Or I’ll give you short-shift.

I don’t have the time

To get stressed or miffed.

My job is important,

I’m the head of this joint,

And I’m quite short on patience

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Will Round 3 Happen?

So get to the point.

If you want something done

Go straight to the top.

I can restore comments

If that’s what you want.

Despite what you’ve heard

Or probably read,

Comments on niche sites

Aren’t better off dead.

I like the old ways,

This joint used to buzz.

These days it’s just like

A bee without fuzz.

So, I’ll bring comments back,

It is easy to do.

I’ll just click my fingers,

Here we go..one..two..

I’ll just change the layout

And reprogram them in.

We made a mistake,

Please forgive us our sins.

My husband still rushes to the mailbox every day like there will be something exciting in it. Junk mail usually. Now that's an idea, John. How about writing a poem about the deluge of junk mail we still receive?

— Doris James MizBejabbers

A Deluge of Junk Mail (Deliverer's Perspective)

You said you love mail,

So make up your mind.

You are rather picky

To want certain kinds.

We fill up your mailbox

What more can you ask?

At least it’s not bills,

So don’t take us to task.

You may call it ‘junk mail’

But they’re ‘sales catalogs.’

Some like them some don’t,

It’s like cats versus dogs.

Almost no one writes letters,

That’s all passed us by,

So what’re a few leaflets

Between you and I?

They keep you informed

About products you need,

And many you don’t

But you just have to see.

We’re paid to deliver

To every mailbox,

So a sign “NO JUNK MAIL”

Just makes us feel cross.

Please don’t reject it,

What harm can it do?

You don’t have to read it

If it’s not for you.

It has many uses

You need to consider,

Like shredding it up

To make kitty litter.

Or when you are painting

Spread it ‘round the walls,

So paint doesn’t drip

down onto the floor.

So, please don’t see junk mail

As personal abuse.

Think outside the box

And put it to use.

Could I get a poem following along the lines of, "The Outside Looking In," that encompasses the feeling of witnessing something outside of one's control, but still desiring to step in on such a matter? I've witnessed so many horrible things in the last month or so, and I feel like all anyone really does is peer through the narrow looking glass, and act on what little information they gather through that small scope.

— Kyler J Falk

On the Outside Looking In

On the outside looking in,

God release me from all sin.

I know it’s out of my control,

But, “Do what’s right!” I have been told.

Report the wrongs you cannot fix,

Don’t jump in with stones and sticks.

That always makes things worse,

Negotiation’s needed first.

But, I can’t ignore what’s clearly wrong,

That betrays beliefs that I hold strong.

Keep my head but make a call,

For my peace I must stand tall.

This conundrum one must face,

No matter what your creed or race.

Our moral compass is our guide,

Don’t try to bow your head and hide.

Some are scared of ridicule,

Or of being called a fool.

Let the hero in you out,

Let your truth erase all doubt.

Your porch series is a place to destress and I would like you to keep it up. I suggest you to write about renovation or moving into a new house. Maybe it will take you down memory lane.

— Li-Jen Hew

Moving House

“We’re moving house” - those scary words

I’m always loathed to hear.

Just the thought of packing up

Fills my poor soul with fear.

All those goods and shackles

We’ve collected over time,

Must be packed and moved again,

There’s no reason and no rhyme.

It’s one way of clearing clutter,

Tossing out what’s of no use.

Allowing us to start afresh,

And escape the hoarding noose.

Once everything is packed to go

It’s time to clean the house.

To me the worst job of the lot

And to which I don’t espouse.

Removal truck or trailer loads

To move from old to new,

And then it all begins again,

Each time I say, “I’m through.”

To set things up the way you want

In a new house can be fun.

At least the move is over

And a new chapter’s begun.

I think you take a little part

Of every place you’ve been

And add it to your present home.

Or, to me, that’s how it seems.

Likewise, you leave a part of you

in all your past locales,

Which lingers on for decades

Like bread baked in oven smells.

So turn each house into a home

No matter where you live.

Treat it well and treasure it,

Then back to you, it will give.

© 2020 John Hansen

Comments

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on December 18, 2020:

Hi Mr Happy, thank you for reading and your congratulations. Yes, While I was researching “El Jefe” I found out it was one of Fidel Castro’s nicknames. I think I had heard that before...but who knows lol. You have a great weekend also.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on December 18, 2020:

Hello Anita, thank you for the lovely comment and congratulations. I don’t intend to stop writing the series anytime soon. Take care.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on December 18, 2020:

Linda, thank you for acknowledging this milestone. The first 50 went quickly so fingers crossed the series keeps going to 100. Glad you liked the pictures, and that El Jefe was your favourite too.