For today’s prompt, take the phrase “Once Upon a (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles might include: “Once Upon a Time,” “Once Upon a Pedestal,” or “Once Upon a Diet.” As usual, have fun with it.
ONCE UPON A RAINY DAY
by John Yeo
Once upon a rainy day,
I stumbled through the double doors
When umbrellas were in short supply.
Coat collar turned up against the wind.
The rain still managed to blind my eyes
Once upon a raindrop, shaken on the mat.
One of a million combinations of words.
That chose to blind my eyes,
I blinked at the illustrious company
Featured in the bright array.
Then my imagination got underway
I heard the scream, my inner ears working,
I sensed a crash as the body fell.
The temperature was mild but bright
when the shot rang out with a silent bang.
Once upon a rainy day,
The deafening sirens, silently sounded
I had mentally disposed of the gun.
I was unable to see where I put it.
Perhaps it was in the mystery section
I stumbled into politics religion and science
I came across a very learned conversation
Clearly and cleverly argued, between,
A scientist, a priest and a statesman
To confound my mind and obscure my vision.
The magical day was here at last
As a lady smiled, holding a parasol.
I had searched through the travel section
To no avail. Cruising to exotic climes,
Sailing along on a warm wet breeze
Once upon a rainy day.
Sheltering in the library.
Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved
by John Yeo
Once upon a rainy day,
I stumbled through the double doors
When umbrellas were in short supply.
Coat collar turned up against the wind.
The rain still managed to blind my eyes
Once upon a raindrop, shaken on the mat.
One of a million combinations of words.
That chose to blind my eyes,
I blinked at the illustrious company
Featured in the bright array.
Then my imagination got underway
I heard the scream, my inner ears working,
I sensed a crash as the body fell.
The temperature was mild but bright
when the shot rang out with a silent bang.
Once upon a rainy day,
The deafening sirens, silently sounded
I had mentally disposed of the gun.
I was unable to see where I put it.
Perhaps it was in the mystery section
I stumbled into politics religion and science
I came across a very learned conversation
Clearly and cleverly argued, between,
A scientist, a priest and a statesman
To confound my mind and obscure my vision.
The magical day was here at last
As a lady smiled, holding a parasol.
I had searched through the travel section
To no avail. Cruising to exotic climes,
Sailing along on a warm wet breeze
Once upon a rainy day.
Sheltering in the library.
Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved