The Man I Am

by John Botterill

Sunday 25th June 2023 7:27 pm

After Vernon Scannell

Every day demands a new persona.

A different man is putting on my clothes.

Mister Grumpy in his grey pullover,

Who’s determined to tell you what he loathes.

A gentle carer awakes next morning,

Swiftly attending his relatives’ needs,

Helpfully heeding anxious warnings,

Nurturing all of his precious fresh seeds.

The libertine waster is next to emerge,

Fond of company, a laugh and a joke,

A gambler, a drinker, the server’s scourge,

A lifetime’s pension going up in smoke!

In only one life so many men live,

Each one believing the other’s a sham!

An inveterate taker with so much to give,

Powerless to tell you the man I am.

Comments

John Botterill

Tue 27th Jun 2023 16:02

Thanks, Kevin. I really appreciate your comment. I couldn't be a boxer either, although Vernon Scannell was. 😀

John Botterill

Tue 27th Jun 2023 13:03

Thanks Stephen and Graham, love the comments. I think Mr Ben suits me very well haha. Mr Hyde too, who knows what an extra pint might do 😂

Graham Sherwood

Tue 27th Jun 2023 08:52

I was rather thinking of Mr Ben! Remember him and the magic shop?

Stephen Gospage

Tue 27th Jun 2023 08:14

Outstanding, John. I like the idea that every day 'a different man is putting on my clothes'. Perhaps I should try that! Maybe we are all Jekyll, Hyde and someone else.

John Botterill

Mon 26th Jun 2023 16:45

Thanks so much to so many poets whose work I greatly admire: Clare, Stella, Manish and Stephen A, I salute you! 😎 I acknowledge, too, my debt to Vernon Scannell. This might become a theme, you never know! 😂
Thanks for the likes : Nigel, Russell, K. Lynn and Helene 😀

Stephen Atkinson

Mon 26th Jun 2023 12:23

Expertly written, John. And so true! Love it! 🌈

Manish Singh Rajput

Mon 26th Jun 2023 06:59

You had commented earlier on one of my poem that I was on a cracking form, but it's you who are on a mind-blowing cracking form, John B. Loved this one!😄

winds solar

Sun 25th Jun 2023 22:25

John I have just read this to my Grandfather and he could not stop laughing and said to tell you welcome to the club! 😂 adding that it was indeed a very good poem and we both thank you 👍👍

Clare

Sun 25th Jun 2023 22:14

John, in my humble opinion, this is one of the best poems you have given us to date - And that is saying something!! A fabulous insight into a world we rarely see. I love it! Thank you. 💕

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The Man I Am

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