See You Real Soon ~ a Nonsense Poem

John is a poet and short fiction writer who enjoys collaborating on stories with other writers, and partaking in challenges.

Inspiration for This Poem

In her fine article 'Colours: Their Wonderful Namesto Conjour Images in the Mind, Brightening Lives' Ann Carr issued the following challenge.

"So here’s a challenge! Describe an object, scene or person, using colours, but in an unusual way. Make up colours if you like but don’t use the basic, well-known colours we refer to every day. You can put senses into colour-ways if you like, or just invent shades that are exciting. "

As well as being inspired to take up Ann's challenge, I read a poem called 'The Green Parrot of Shakespeare' by Tanmoy Acharya, and I was impressed by the surreal scene created by this poem.

I decided to write a poem combining influences from each of the above. So, here is the result: 'See You Real Soon.'

See You Real Soon

It was in the fern-green month of June

When I set off to seek my fortune

Accompanied by my raccoon, Boon,

In a race to beat the next typhoon.

I bid goodbye to the bride and groom,

Who were honeymooning in my room.

And we sailed to the vermilion moon

In a big chartreuse hot-air balloon.

I guess you’d call me a buffoon

And say I’m flying to my doom.

But I don’t give a purple prune

Of all your tales of doom and gloom.

As we approached the scarlet moon

The altitude had me a’swoon.

“I hope this place won’t be our tomb,”

I said to my black-masked raccoon.

We landed roughly with a BOOM!

Upon a tall cinnabar dune.

Around it many rocks were strewn,

But we had made it to the moon.

Our spacesuits were a deep maroon,

And built-in speakers played a tune.

This seemed surreal, like a cartoon,

Or dream of some Tesla tycoon.

Moon marigolds were all abloom,

I breathed in deep their strong perfume.

Their colours were in such volume,

Sangria, flaxen, and mushroom.

We met the famed Man in the Moon

He gave us chocolate macaroons,

And tangerine jam on a spoon.

Low gravity allowed more room.

He offered me a wine-filled goon,

Made from the best grapes on the moon.

I said, “Just one, I’m flying soon.

I cannot fly if I’m spewin’.”

“To this atmosphere, we aren’t immune,

And we cannot live in a cocoon,

So, we must return to Earth quite soon,

Or else we will risk being marooned.”

He said, “Come back and visit soon

We have a party each New Moon.”

“Of course, if it is opportune.

If not, let’s try to meet on Zoom.”

We got back into our balloon,

Bid farewell to the rouge-red moon.

With more a lift-off than a v-vroom,

We left that lunar afternoon.

We made it back in our balloon,

And landed on a wide pontoon,

In azure seas near Cameroon.

During a tropical Monsoon.

But soon I’ll be back in my room

Defeating all predicted gloom.

I never had a silver spoon

But that can’t take you to the moon.

So, don’t tell me I am a loon,

Or my ring-tailed best friend raccoon.

Our space adventure was a boon,

We’ll only dance to our own tune.

© 2021 John Hansen

Comments

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 15, 2021:

Hello Mary, that is what poets like to hear. We love it when someone likes our poem enough to read it out now. I am so glad it spurred on your imagination.

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on February 15, 2021:

You must have had so much fun writing this. I enjoyed reading it out loud and it spurred on my imagination.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 13, 2021:

Thank you Vidya. I appreciate your kind comment and I am happy you enjoyed reading this poem.

VIDYA D SAGAR on February 13, 2021:

Hi John, It was so much fun reading your poem. It is adorable. The fantasy and imagery in the poem are great. I especially loved the rhyming words and the beautiful pictures. A lovely response to Ann's challenge.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 13, 2021:

Thank you Flourish, had to look up those colour names. Yeah, Boon is a cute raccoon.

FlourishAnyway from USA on February 13, 2021:

Cinnabar. Flaxen. I like those as well as that raccoon. Cute poem in response to that challenge!

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 13, 2021:

Good to see you too Chrish. Welcome back.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 13, 2021:

Good to see you Li-Jen. Yes, let’s all escape to the moon in a hot air balloon. Thanks for reading.

Chrish Canosa from Manila Philippines on February 13, 2021:

I see hahahaha, it's really good feeling to be back! School isn't a joke lol. I miss everyone here so much!!! Really good to see you po again Sir jodah!

Li-Jen Hew on February 13, 2021:

Hi Jodah. Now is the time to be on the Moon like in your poem! Somewhere other than Room and Zoom haha. Thanks for providing a space for everyone to escape and appreciate the generosity you put in making the poem imaginative.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 13, 2021:

Hi Nithya, thank you for your generous comment. Glad you enjoyed this poem.

Nithya Venkat from Dubai on February 13, 2021:

I enjoyed reading this poem. Your creativity and poetic talent shines through this color filled poem. Brilliant as always!

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 12, 2021:

Hello Chrish, good to see you. There is plenty of sunshine to go around. I am glad you had fun reading this poem. I don't like the sound of my own voice so you are better off not hearing me read it lol.

Chrish Canosa from Manila Philippines on February 12, 2021:

An awesome night to you all out there! I was having fun reading every lines hahaha I'm wondering, how do you guys sounds like reading this? hahaha

A huge thanks for sharing the sunshine from your heart and face!

Blessings!!!

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 12, 2021:

Thanks Mr Happy. Glad you approve. A little good nonsense never hurt anyone, right?

Mr. Happy from Toronto, Canada on February 12, 2021:

Haha!! This was funny.

The "oon"s and the "oom"s give it a bubbly, floating kinda feel. Certainly nonsense but it's good nonsense for a change LOL

Cheers!

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 12, 2021:

Thank, you Denise. It was fun to write too. Blessings.

Denise McGill from Fresno CA on February 12, 2021:

That was such a terrific adventure. I laughed and laughed. I loved the whole thing from the azure seas to the black-masked raccoon. Sweet.

Blessings,

Denise

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 12, 2021:

Glad this gave you a laugh, Linda. Yes, well spewin’ .. I guess it kinda half rhymed, but I thought it was funny so I left it in there. Thanks for reading.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 12, 2021:

Hey Greg, glad you managed to catch this one in time. Smiling and cheering, I hear, is good for the health so glad This poem had that effect.

I did label it “nonsense” but I guess a bit of meaningful stuff slipped in there lol. Thanks for reading and commenting my friend.

Linda Lum from Washington State, USA on February 12, 2021:

What fun. You had me laughing with this one. (Never thought I'd see a rhyme with spewin').

greg cain from Moscow, Idaho, USA on February 12, 2021:

Hey John! So glad I was able to find this in my feed this morning. I'd read the poem, then fretted as it had already moved over to the dark discover side. ;) Anyway, I am proud to be part of this granfalloon, though I think it is anything but meaningless. Your poem made me smile and cheer this AM, which is something any and all of us could use on occasion. Nice work, as usual, my friend.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 12, 2021:

Thank you so much Peg. Yes we do need more laughter, especially at the present time, so I will do my best to write more humorous nonsensical poems. Yes, Ann always issues good challenges.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on February 12, 2021:

I loved this! Hahaha! We need more laughter in our lives, so thanks! Please write more nonsense poems like this one. I am glad Ann inspired you to write it.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 12, 2021:

Bill, it was fun to write so I am glad that came across in the poem for the reader as well. Thanks as always.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on February 12, 2021:

That was so much fun, my friend. It's like free-form prose, or word association, and the good times never end with this well-written challenge response. Well done!

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 12, 2021:

MsDora, thank you for your wonderful comment. HP’s stance on a lot of things is different to what many of us seem to feel. But, as you at, it is their site. You humble me.

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on February 12, 2021:

I never read nonsense so expertly done! Quite a story and the rhyming is off the charts. Beautiful work!

I tried to comment on your previous work in which HP's response to you seem to be discouraging community connections. I'm not pleased with their stance, but it's their site. Happy that they let the poems earn for you. You're among the best, Jodah!

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 12, 2021:

Your comment made my day Ann. I wanted to write a good response to your challenge so I am over the moon..excuse the pun..that you enjoyed this poem. My pleasure to entertain. Stay safe and well.

Ann Carr from SW England on February 12, 2021:

What a brilliant response to my challenge, John! Thank you for doing this. It had me smiling all the way through, especially 'don’t give a purple prune' and the bit about Zoom! A most uplifting entertainment for this sunny afternoon under azure skies and sun-spotted air.

One of your best, in my opinion.

Keep safe and well, John.

Ann

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 12, 2021:

It was a pleasure to have you along on the journey, Shauna. So glad you enjoyed it.

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on February 12, 2021:

John, this was such a fun journey. The colors had me gliding through the atmosphere, enjoying all the sites as I rode along in the balloon.

You're such a talented poet, John.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 12, 2021:

I can’t think of anything I’d rather do, Eric. Thanks.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on February 12, 2021:

Happiness is what you spread -- Thank you.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 12, 2021:

Your comment made me smile too Pamela. Thank you for your kind words and for appreciating my writing.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 12, 2021:

Thank you for your wonderful comment Chitrangada. I am glad you enjoyed this poem.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on February 12, 2021:

This poem absolutely exceeds the challenge, John. Your choiceof colors and your rhymes are fantastic. I laughed when I read much of this poem as it was so entertaining. The images you created were wonderful, as well.

Great response to the challenge!

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on February 12, 2021:

This is brilliant John. You have an amazing poetic talent and your creativity can be beautifully seen in this poem too. I loved your rhymes and colour descriptions— fern green, vermillion moon, and others.

Excellent response to the challenge. Thank you for sharing.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 12, 2021:

Thank you Devika. Glad you liked the poem and images. Take care.

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on February 12, 2021:

Hi Jodah each line is perfect and I like the images.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 11, 2021:

Hi Misbah, thank you for reading this and for your positive comment. I am glad you enjoyed the rhyme, flow, and images.

Misbah Sheikh from The World of Poets on February 11, 2021:

A very well written piece of work, I really enjoyed the rhyming words, every time the flow of the poem was so constant, that I didn't give myself a time to blink my eyes. very beautiful and eye-soothing image of colours. You did a great job Jodah.

sending blessings and best regards

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 11, 2021:

Hi Tanmoy, so glad you came upon this poem before it moved to Discover. I appreciate the Salvador Dali and Jules Verne reference. Two giants in their fields.

Hegel from 26.3452° N, 89.4482° E on February 11, 2021:

This poem is a pleasing combination of Salvador Dali and Jules Verne, juxtaposed with the spirit of jovial adventure and surreal fantasy.

A creative challenge completed artfully!

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 11, 2021:

Thank you MG, appreciated.

MG Singh emge from Singapore on February 11, 2021:

Nice poem John well done.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 11, 2021:

Hello Rosina, I am happy that you enjoyed this poem and felt I answered Ann's challenge well. All the best to you.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on February 11, 2021:

Thanks, schoolgirlforreal. I appreciate your kind comment and glad you like the balloon image.

Rosina S Khan on February 11, 2021:

Exquisite poetry, John. You met Ann's challenge commendably. I really appreciate your creativity and efforts in crafting it. Thank you for such an enriching contribution, which will definitely soothe anyone's mind.

schoolgirlforreal on February 11, 2021:

I love the beautiful green balloon photo, and use of colorful creativity;

This is really quite something! I enjoyed it. Thanks