ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Originally written for the Illawarra Breakfast Poets' homework topic of the same name.

THE THINGS THAT MAKE ME MAD
© John Peel 5/5/09

I could rant and rave and misbehave,
Could even whine and whinge;
I could bitch and moan or even groan,
Do things to make you cringe;
I could scream and shout, knock someone out
Or maybe start a fight;
I could jump and kick, give someone stick
Or even scratch and bite;
I could swear and curse and do much worse,
Could act extremely bad,
I could frown and sigh or have a cry,
Be angry or be sad –
Are you really sure you want to know the things that make me mad?

I'm sensing some pent up aggression here John - throwing bottles in the kitchen, brawling and now this. Maybe you need to take up a hobby

Excellent poem John.

Heather

Applause for that one Peely. A very good use of alliteration and consonance, what I believe is real poetry, it's made from words.


Being a sticky-beak I was wondering how come a person from Batlow is doing homework for the Illawarra Poets Breakfast. Is this a correspondence thing or do you travel all the way from Batlow to Woolongong on account of your dedication to poetry.

Yair John ya right I guess we don’t want to know what has made you mad, my old Grannie used to say come here boy sit down have a cup of tea and a couple of deep breaths and at the end of the day all that matters is a big hug from ya grandkids.

Now I’m her age makes perfect sense.

TTFN

G'day Heather

I am hoping that the Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde thing (someone I encountered somewhere referred to it as that) that seems to happen when I go from being a regular bloke to a stage performer does not include a violent streak. Glad you enjoyed the poem.

G'day Neville

In the case of the Illawarra Breakfast Poets, Zondrae has been posting their weekly and monthly homework topics on the bushverse site since the group began. I have made a contribution via the bushverse site whenever their topic has inspired me to get something written for it. I'm glad you enjoyed the poem.

G'day Dave

I know exactly what you are saying, if you ask someone what makes them angry, you are likely to get an angry response - even though the anger may not be directed at you personally. It is better to keep things positive, where possible.

A good cup of tea or a hug from a loved one often helps to calm things down.

Regards


John Peel

Music soothes the savage beast.

So it must be the Elvis number that I do on stage that stops me from turning into a monster!

Now I'm REALLLY worried for you John!

Uh Oh, and he's green. Be afraid, be very afraid. I remember another green person who used to say "you wouldn't like me when I'm angry".

"Hyde" or "The Hulk"?
© John Peel 15/6/2011

Could I be Mr Hyde
when the anger builds inside
or do I put on bulk
to become a big, green hulk?

Is my anger held at bay
when my hips begin to sway
as I sing an Elvis song
in a voice that's loud and strong?

I can't say I know for sure
but my shirt and pants just tore;
my skin has just turned green,
I'm becoming big and mean.

I'm singing, "Love Me Tender",
then a few bars of "Surrender" -
I feel my anger fade,
have I made you all afraid?

My anger now has gone,
I'd best put some clothing on -
I think that I'd prefer
that that would not occur!

I'll just think some happy thoughts
so I don't feel out of sorts
and if anger grows I'll sing
some music by "The King"!