There is a man from South Africa
Who danced while using an abacus
Now some people say he did this all day
And also ate Vegemite sandwiches
There is a man from South Africa
Who slept in jungles when he could
And every poet he met could not forget
Stories he told so magical
There is a man from South Africa
Whose heart of gold was like a flood
As maidens gathered round to hear the sound
Of a cricket?!!!!!!!!
Wait a second can this be right
Crickets playing violins in twilight
Fred says listen and you can hear
As I wonder if he had too much Guinness beer
When God gave out imagination
He gave Fred an extra equation
So he would dance around the trees
And rescue women with dire needs
So, there is a man from South Africa
Who writes stories I wish I could
With a flourish that's so rare
Causing you to think you are there
For the magic of his subtle pen
Is not of how but of gifts to send
To the human family
With tales of great humanity
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Comments: 62
Love and Hugs Fred!!
Who doesn't know the word can't
He starts and his muse
Is impressed with his news
And so his failures are scant!
This is such an honour. It's incredible.
Of course, I don't deserve it but it's your thought that counts, Bill.
Let me calm down and go back and really read your poem. I've already had my first laugh but now let me be more circumspectual.
Hahahaha. You've really got to know me. But wait...we don't eat Vegemite sandwiches here...they're called Marmite...but it's the same thing in the same coloured holders.
Never mind that. Bill it takes eight (8) Guinness to hear the Crickets play...but when you do it's like being in that great music hall in the sky.
You made my day ten times over, Bill. Thank you for this.
But above all, thank you for that last verse. If you saw that in my work then I'm very happy. Then you've seen why I do this. Please know that I'll treasure this.
I haven't read nearly enough of his stories; will have to make time for that!
here and there
He is none other than
our William Dear
Delightful read William.
You are a gem, Bill, for doing this .
Fred writes stories and poems that transport us to a beautiful world, where crickets sing and dance, maidens are saved, humor is a living, breathing emotion in words and so much more.
You have brought all that into this enjoyable verse! Specially like ..
For the magic of his subtle pen
Is not of how but of gifts to send
To the human family
With tales of great humanity
Hopefully it will always make sense to at least me.
I have missed this poem by a day
I should have been here for your toast to Fred
Must have got tired and went to bed
Was this hidden from my sight
I was sure that I came here last night
Well anyway it sure is keen
One of the nicest toasts I have seen
And Fred deserves it, this poem of yours
He has mesmerized me with his lures
Of all the places he has been
And the jungle stories, I love them
So Fred if you read just a bit of this
I'm ending it and sending you a hug and a kiss.
Hope you don't mind that I do this on your page, William, hugs and kisses to you too, I'm in the mood for love, simply because you're near me, remember that old song, just slipped into my mind, and listen, I loved your s reply to my slip poem, I can't read it and say it out loud or I might let my brain slip into a slithering stream strongly seeking sensational sounds, and slip away. love it William, you write poetry all over Gather, thank you.
Great poem depicting respect and a wonderful dose of your warm humor.
I remember that song ,Elsie....heard it the first time in a Warner Bros cartoon..that Pepe Peeyoo the skunk trying to serenade a black and white cat! LOL!
And a beautiful song I recall
It looks like Elsie sliipped and now is stuck on s
What that could mean is anyone's guess
But Tracy met him full force when she had to do emergency surgery on the plane to oz.
He saw the ears of corn and didnt know what to do
The farmer said, Fred you should shuck it.
But that is entirely up to you.
When you get it off the cob, into the pan
You use the cob instead of Charmin
Of course it certainly has the texture of sand.
You could help Wilma out , it goes in the hog pen.
Because William has shipped all those hairy things
From Detroit to Washington State.
With long curly tusk and noses, with big nose rings
To go on everyone elses dinner plate.
Norma has broken out into a poem
And for Fred as he is well known
a bit for William to put in his hat
now how can anyone do better than that
I think this season is going to be jolly
with all the tinsel and hanging of holly
That's what this time is about
Laughing and letting it out
Having fun with your friends
don't get the bends
come up for air
when you lose your hair
we want you to be cute and perky
we don't think you are really a turkey
You write poems to us
without any fuss
so recirpricating
won't keep you waiting
Here's a hug for goodnight
hope you're feeling all right
you have to be bright
don't hide out of sight
oh oh I'm stuck
I've run out of luck
so William give Norma a hand
she's written a poem so grand
You are a teacher
and not a preacher
Oh help me I have to leave now
it's 2:22, Holy Cow
and Elsie & Norma, that is GREAT!!!!! Little poems in your comments too.
I've come to chat not rant or praise.
With a "Did you know?" for you.
Did you know I have a file on my computer, dedicated to "unsaid" comments here and in letters to my friends and lovers?
I mention this because I just did it here.
Moments ago I cut out a short little snark here.
As I tucked it away in the file
I was thinking....
"Perhaps you will surface in one of my books William"
I already have the title.
If I've not said this to you before
I am wishing you and your loved ones an excellent holiday season---
And every happiness!
If your brain is hurtin' it's nothin' to fear
why ya probably got into a bad batch of "black beer" (or bear !heheh)
A thesauraus can be handy..it often works for me
In fact a Gather Wordsmith claims I have the "key"
The key is no big secret..get the biggest bat you can find
Smack yourself on the head ,hard!
Works every time! It's a form of Holistic Medicine....:)
see ya in my ER for stitches!
xoxo!
Fred ..how ever does that go again? I understand you're working on new lyric for an old chestnut....Roasting on an open fire.......
O well, You know I wake up in a new world every morning.
Very nice tribute to our friend Fred. Thanks
Oh my what to say when it all has been said about
wonderful, marvelous, fantastic FRED! Thanks for
this one William it took me a long time to figure it
all out though, sorry!! :(