I was a little bit confused at Miss Jadite's last competition in Summer, I thought we had to present a riddle. So I sat all night, at the inn, thinking hard. But see for yourself:
There I was sat at the inn
Wondering how to begin.
A riddle to find
To puzzle the mind?
Looks like this task I won't win.
First now to order some ale
Lest all that drink should go stale.
I sip from my mug,
Start feeling right snug.
What could a riddle entail?
Topics were given before:
Happiness, friendship, ... one more.
I scratch at my head,
And pick a loose thread,
Feeling right glad it ain't four.
Well then I feel I should start
Friends are so close to my heart.
My mug I raise high,
'To friends!' I then cry
Drinking to friends that did part.
Thoughts now do turn to folk here
Bringing along much good cheer.
So who do I choose?
I drink some more booze,
Hoping for thoughts from the beer.
Looking at Hereward's blue vest
Cov'ring the good barkeep's chest
Of flowers I think,
Would winning they bring?
Simbo could sure take that jest?
Catfish could be a good aim
Cakes of them sure have some fame
But no, no success
Too easy to guess!
Hereward with ale I acclaim.
Harder this is than I thought
So many friends that I ought
Best put them in rhyme,
But no, there's no time,
Riddling is what is now sought.
Staring just idly at air
Mutt'ring it really ain't fair
That Jerry's good cap
Did go to some lad,
Leaving me tear out my hair.
Raising my mug for some more
Spilling some ale on the floor
I toy with the mug,
think idly of rug
Wonder if that's how to score.
Thinking of Lina's old dress:
Is that the way to impress?
Make Jiro the goal?
Might be a high toll!
Chased by Mad Lina would stress.
Desperate now for some plan
Starting to think of my gran
On paper I jot:
'Make Matzo the plot? -
'Awkward if audience ran!'
Taking another large sip
Bringing the mug to my lip,
I grasp for some words,
hear outside the birds
Sounds like the night I let slip.
Feeling the need for a nap
Rising I ask for the tab.
I squint at the toll
I sure drank it all!
Hereward rolls in a new keg...
Happiness permeates my mind.
Is it the ale? Well I find
The thought of all friends
It is that now sends
Feelings of warmth and that kind.
Riding the road back to home
Letting my thoughts idly roam
I think of the fun
Of banter well done,
Scenes of the Dragon well known.
Finally there's an idea!
Never before was it here!
Of that I am sure,
As down I secure,
Words brought to me by the beer.
Here is the riddle I made
Never I bet will it fade.
To Shire's old lore
Of riddles of yore
Doubtlessly this will be laid!
Eh, the riddle? Erm... well, best not to mention it. It was a lot of ale is all I'll say about it...
(This poem was an entry to Miss Jadite's Summer-time poetry Competition (Summer 2012) )
