Answers In Rhyme Poem by John KENT

A long time ago in a long ago time

there lived an old man who would answer in rhyme,

when asked any question he invariably said;

'I will answer in rhyme till the day I am dead! '




'How old are you sir? ' asked a man with a laugh

'I am older than you are by two times and half.'

'So you think you can answer any question I ask? '

'I know that I can, so begin with your task! '




'Why am I here on this planet called Earth? '

'It's because of the fact that your mother gave birth! '


'What reason is there for why I was born? '

'It's so you have reason to get up each morn! '


'Where do I go to once I am dead? '

'Right into a grave with dirt on your head! '


'What reason do I have to even exist? '

'Probably none if your Dad wasn't pissed! '




The man was impressed with the speed of replies

from someone so old and so patently wise,

so he tried once again with this man of old age

with some questions designed to rattle his cage.




'What is the sound of a one-handed clap? '

'It's the same as the sound of a one-finger 'snap'! '


'How many grains of sand on a beach? '

'There's more than the number a teacher could teach! '


'Why do the stars shine so brightly at night? '

'It's so we can see them when there is no sunlight! '


'Exactly how long is a cut piece of string? '

'It depends on the length that you cut the damn thing! '




The man was agog by that wily old guy

with his quick-fire wit and his rapid reply,

but he had one last question that might cause him some strife;

'What is the purpose and the meaning of life? '



'Ahhh...the meaning of life is easy my son,

it's to look back at your life and see what you've done,

and if you have not done the very best that you can

you're a failure at life and you're less than a man! '



The man walked away with a shrug and a smile

from someone he thought might be old and senile,

but he had to admit that the old man was right

for he had squandered his life without much of a fight.




19/7/2015