Save Live Comedy - a poem

Hello all, I am a professional poet and occasional comedian! Live comedy has helped me through some very dark times indeed, and I am passionate about the cause of saving it. I wrote a poem especially on this topic, which some of you might like to share on Twitter, Facebook or Insta. Here it is; do please copy me in to any sharings!

SAVE LIVE COMEDY by Joshua Seigal @joshuaseigal

In dingy rooms on top of pubs,
on rainy nights in basement clubs,
in tented fields and rural hubs --
a laugh can soothe the soul.

At midnight, drunk and packed in rows,
at open mics and five-star shows,
with amateurs or seasoned pros --
a chuckle makes us whole.

When hopeful blokes get gonged off stage,
when ranting poets spit with rage,
when jesters test our pressure gauge
and leave us wanting more,

it sprinkles life with seasoning
and gets our lungs to leap and sing;
such times as these can be the thing
to touch us at our core.

The slickest acts who wield their wit,
the group with their pretentious skit,
the callow youth who's rather... untalented,
the old-school and the woke;

we face a new reality
of worry and uncertainty
so help us save live comedy.
For once, it's not a joke.

Great poem Joshua.

At the moment cancel culture and thoughtspeak are infecting the minds of not just the usual suspects (leftie students et al) but it has made the jump cross species to corporates. Liking a funny tweet is now sometimes likely to lead to you being sacked or burnt at the stake. My little offering called:

Unless We Stop The Madness

The problem with good comedy
Is like abandoned dromedary
There's always someone who will take the hump

Then come back for the other one
And bring their father, sister, son
And put up hoops through which you have to jump

For you can't joke, unless you're woke
Repeat the trope that they all spoke
And take the knee before you start your show

There's no more joy they've killed the fun
Comedians your time is done
Into the virtue graveyard you must go

Excellent poems!

Nicely done Joshua, really liked it.

Yes,both very enjoyable.
A professional poet? So you want to take the easy road to fame and fortune:)

Two great pieces, thanks. Is there any money in poetry Joshua?

Quote: john tregorran @ 14th July 2020, 2:48 AM

A professional poet?

Quote: Firkin @ 14th July 2020, 11:19 AM

Is there any money in poetry Joshua?

I have to admit I wasn't aware professional poets are actually a thing.

Yes, I know it's perfectly possible to become a millionaire almost overnight by writing a poem which is subsequently set to music and recorded and sold to the public but, in such cases, you're not actually a professional poet - you're a songwriter.

Accordingly, I'm glad John and Firkin have asked Joshua to elaborate a little.

If there's money in poetry, I want some! Laughing out loud