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"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that …
31/M/Ogbomoso, Oyo, Nigeria
A writer// Poet// Songwriter
31/M/Ireland
Poems
Roger Turner - Poet May 2020
i am robin hood
Roger Turner - Poet
May 2020
(man enters a tavern)
I'd like a room and a bath please
(tavern keeper)
a room I can do, but, a bath, totally out of the question
(man)
your sign says "rooms with baths", and I would like a room with a bath, as advertised
(tk)
you aren't from around here are you?
(man)
no, why?
(tk)
I thought not, so, I will say this slow...A room I can do, but a bath is totally out of the question
(man)
there is no need to take that tone with me. I made a perfectly legitimate request, as per your signage, and you take umbrage with me.
(tk)
I did not, and besides, I can't take it, if I don't know what it is. Hold on one minute....(walks outside, grabs a shovel on the way out...knocks sign down).
(tk)
(upon re-entry)....now, about that sign you said you saw. I believe you were mistaken.
(man)
this is the "three rivers tavern" as per the sign, which I assume is no longer hanging out front.
(tk)
It is, and your assumption is correct...it isn't
(man)
so, being the "three rivers tavern" would there not be three rivers in the proximity of this establishment from which you would be able to draw water for me, a bypasser, to get a bath
(tk)
yes...and no
(man)
what kind of an answer is that?
(tk)
Yes, it is the "three rivers tavern" and no, there are not three rivers in close proximity of this establishment from which I, a humble tavern keeper, and former owner of a sign, advertising, falesly, I might add...the presence of a bath in this establishment.
(man)
you are called "three rivers tavern" yet, there are no rivers nearby.? what kind of advertising is that?
(tk)
firstly, the sign was already made up, so, it was cheap. Secondly, who are you to question the name of my establishment, which I might add, is quite famous in the region for many things, other than it's name, which, we may now be changing due to the sudden loss of our sign.
(man)
I sir, am Robin Hood of Sherwood.
(tk)
your'e not
(man)
I am. I am Robin Hood, Sir Robin of Loxley, if you please.
(tk)
I repeat...you're not. Not in those tights.
(man)
And what is wrong with my tights?
(tk)
Seriously? Do I really have to tell you that?
(man)
Yes, what is wrong with these tights?
(tk)
First off, Robin Hood, The REAL Robin Hood wouldn't be caught dead in those. Baggy, Saggy, there's leaves on them, holes...Robin Hood would have nice tight tights that were in good kip and accentuated his....
(man)
*******!
(tk)
exactly
(man)
No, I mean, how would you know what Robin Hood would wear? I mean, what I would wear? The condition of these tights helps me keep incognito in local archery competitions. If I went around showing ...
(tk)
*******!!! INCOGNITO? You are no more than a wayward traveller trying to get a free room on the reputation of someone else, namely...Robin Hood
(man)
My good sir, these are old, tights, ripped from swinging through the trees over time.
(tk)
If you are Robin Hood, tights or not...prove it to me. I'll give you the room, and go for the water myself.
(man)
How should I prove it, with no arrows, bow, and apparently no weaponry in sight. How do I go about showing I am Robin Hood?
(tk)
Use mine. Yep...use my bow, and I dare you to...to...shoot an apple off of his head over there. Oy....wake up. Catch (tosses an apple to man in the corner)
Put that on your head...he's gonna shoot it off.
(man in corner)
He's gonna what? off my...no he's not.
(man)
No, I will not. You obviously have me confused with William Tell. He's Swiss, they do things differently over there.
(tk)
You will, or you won't get your room
(man)
And if I should miss, what then?
(tk)
Not a problem. I've got lots of arrows and apples. We can just keep trying.
(man)
I mean HIM, what if I hit HIM.?
(tk)
You won't if you are who you say you are, and besides, I said I've got lots.
(man in corner)
But I'm your brother in law
(tk)
I've lots of those too. Now, here (hands arrow and bow to Robin)
Step back 10 paces, I'll open the door, and you....put that apple up.
One shot...hit the apple,....room and a bath....miss, and it's off with you
(man)
I really don't think...
(tk)
shoot or leave. Or...I can call the sherrif. If you are Robin Hood, he'll certainly want to see you.
(man)
Fine, give me those. (walks back 10 paces as the tavern owner opens the door).
(He fires, splitting the arrow in two, as the man in the corner slides to the floor)
(tk)
ROBIN!!!! Why didn't you say so? I knew it was you all the time. What can I do for you?
(Robin)
First, pick him up. Next that room. Then I have some requirements, that I need not be tested on. A bow, arrows, clothing, footwear. I need to look the part at the tournament coming up, when I do the big reveal, and I need the proper equipment. You, will help me with that, and seeing as how I have little to no money, as I said, I will need to put this on account which I will pay after the tournament.
(tk)
credit? You want credit?
(Robin)
Yes, as you can see, I am good for it.
(tk)
I saw you shoot an apple off a mans head from ten paces, not...win an archery competition with archers from all over Europe. CREDIT?
(Robin)
Here, hold this apple.
(tk)
Right, First things first...bow and arrows!!
(Robin)
I shall need to see the fletcher.
(tk)
that would be baker
(Robin)
No, I need a bow and arrows. I need a fletcher
(tk)
Exactly, Baker
(Robin)
I am at a loss. I need to see a fletcher and yet you keep saying Baker
(tk)
Right, The Fletcher is Baker. That's the man's name. You need to see Baker, the fletcher.
(Robin)
I see....I think. So I see the baker.
(tk)
You see the fletcher
(Robin)
Baker
(tk)
exactly
(Robin)
that's what I said.
(tk)
No,you said the baker
(Robin)
That's what you told me.
(tk)
No, I did not. I said The Fletcher was Baker. That's the mans name
(Robin)
Baker
(tk)
Now,you have it
(Robin)
Assuming I get what I need from the fletcher. I need a tailor.
(tk)
pastor
(Robin)
No, I do not need to see a pastor, I need a tailor
(tk)
That's the man's name. Pastor is the tailor
(Robin)
So, the pastor is the tailor
(tk)
No, Cooper is the pastor, pastor is the tailor.
(Robin)
I don't need a cooper, I need the tailor
(tk)
exactly. pastor
(Robin)
So, let me see...I go to see the pastor and the fletcher
(tk)
No, you see the tailor, pastor and then the fletcher
(Robin)
The Baker.
(tk)
Listen closely, or you'll never get your room. You see Baker the Fletcher and Pastor, the tailor. Not, the baker and the pastor. You keep getting mixed up
(Robin)
I'll need to write this down
Ok, for footwear, Cobbler
(tk)
Butcher
(Robin)
The butcher makes shoes too.?
(tk)
No. Butcher is the cobbler
(Robin)
That's what I said
(tk)
Look, it's dead easy, you go to see Baker, Pastor and Butcher and you'll be set
(Robin)
I'll end up with bread , a bible and meat. How does this help me in an archery competition?
(tk)
No...you see baker the fletcher, pastor the tailor and butcher the cobbler. It couldn't get any simpler
(Robin)
Maybe I don't need that room after all.
(tk)
follow...fletcher baker pastor tailor butcher cobbler. then back here.
(Robin)
No...I think maybe....is there another village close by.
(tk)
Yes, on the other side of the three bridges
(Robin)
Which, as we know, do not exist
(tk)
And...they speak Welsh!!! your choice
fade out
I'd like a room and a bath please
(tavern keeper)
a room I can do, but, a bath, totally out of the question
(man)
your sign says "rooms with baths", and I would like a room with a bath, as advertised
(tk)
you aren't from around here are you?
(man)
no, why?
(tk)
I thought not, so, I will say this slow...A room I can do, but a bath is totally out of the question
(man)
there is no need to take that tone with me. I made a perfectly legitimate request, as per your signage, and you take umbrage with me.
(tk)
I did not, and besides, I can't take it, if I don't know what it is. Hold on one minute....(walks outside, grabs a shovel on the way out...knocks sign down).
(tk)
(upon re-entry)....now, about that sign you said you saw. I believe you were mistaken.
(man)
this is the "three rivers tavern" as per the sign, which I assume is no longer hanging out front.
(tk)
It is, and your assumption is correct...it isn't
(man)
so, being the "three rivers tavern" would there not be three rivers in the proximity of this establishment from which you would be able to draw water for me, a bypasser, to get a bath
(tk)
yes...and no
(man)
what kind of an answer is that?
(tk)
Yes, it is the "three rivers tavern" and no, there are not three rivers in close proximity of this establishment from which I, a humble tavern keeper, and former owner of a sign, advertising, falesly, I might add...the presence of a bath in this establishment.
(man)
you are called "three rivers tavern" yet, there are no rivers nearby.? what kind of advertising is that?
(tk)
firstly, the sign was already made up, so, it was cheap. Secondly, who are you to question the name of my establishment, which I might add, is quite famous in the region for many things, other than it's name, which, we may now be changing due to the sudden loss of our sign.
(man)
I sir, am Robin Hood of Sherwood.
(tk)
your'e not
(man)
I am. I am Robin Hood, Sir Robin of Loxley, if you please.
(tk)
I repeat...you're not. Not in those tights.
(man)
And what is wrong with my tights?
(tk)
Seriously? Do I really have to tell you that?
(man)
Yes, what is wrong with these tights?
(tk)
First off, Robin Hood, The REAL Robin Hood wouldn't be caught dead in those. Baggy, Saggy, there's leaves on them, holes...Robin Hood would have nice tight tights that were in good kip and accentuated his....
(man)
*******!
(tk)
exactly
(man)
No, I mean, how would you know what Robin Hood would wear? I mean, what I would wear? The condition of these tights helps me keep incognito in local archery competitions. If I went around showing ...
(tk)
*******!!! INCOGNITO? You are no more than a wayward traveller trying to get a free room on the reputation of someone else, namely...Robin Hood
(man)
My good sir, these are old, tights, ripped from swinging through the trees over time.
(tk)
If you are Robin Hood, tights or not...prove it to me. I'll give you the room, and go for the water myself.
(man)
How should I prove it, with no arrows, bow, and apparently no weaponry in sight. How do I go about showing I am Robin Hood?
(tk)
Use mine. Yep...use my bow, and I dare you to...to...shoot an apple off of his head over there. Oy....wake up. Catch (tosses an apple to man in the corner)
Put that on your head...he's gonna shoot it off.
(man in corner)
He's gonna what? off my...no he's not.
(man)
No, I will not. You obviously have me confused with William Tell. He's Swiss, they do things differently over there.
(tk)
You will, or you won't get your room
(man)
And if I should miss, what then?
(tk)
Not a problem. I've got lots of arrows and apples. We can just keep trying.
(man)
I mean HIM, what if I hit HIM.?
(tk)
You won't if you are who you say you are, and besides, I said I've got lots.
(man in corner)
But I'm your brother in law
(tk)
I've lots of those too. Now, here (hands arrow and bow to Robin)
Step back 10 paces, I'll open the door, and you....put that apple up.
One shot...hit the apple,....room and a bath....miss, and it's off with you
(man)
I really don't think...
(tk)
shoot or leave. Or...I can call the sherrif. If you are Robin Hood, he'll certainly want to see you.
(man)
Fine, give me those. (walks back 10 paces as the tavern owner opens the door).
(He fires, splitting the arrow in two, as the man in the corner slides to the floor)
(tk)
ROBIN!!!! Why didn't you say so? I knew it was you all the time. What can I do for you?
(Robin)
First, pick him up. Next that room. Then I have some requirements, that I need not be tested on. A bow, arrows, clothing, footwear. I need to look the part at the tournament coming up, when I do the big reveal, and I need the proper equipment. You, will help me with that, and seeing as how I have little to no money, as I said, I will need to put this on account which I will pay after the tournament.
(tk)
credit? You want credit?
(Robin)
Yes, as you can see, I am good for it.
(tk)
I saw you shoot an apple off a mans head from ten paces, not...win an archery competition with archers from all over Europe. CREDIT?
(Robin)
Here, hold this apple.
(tk)
Right, First things first...bow and arrows!!
(Robin)
I shall need to see the fletcher.
(tk)
that would be baker
(Robin)
No, I need a bow and arrows. I need a fletcher
(tk)
Exactly, Baker
(Robin)
I am at a loss. I need to see a fletcher and yet you keep saying Baker
(tk)
Right, The Fletcher is Baker. That's the man's name. You need to see Baker, the fletcher.
(Robin)
I see....I think. So I see the baker.
(tk)
You see the fletcher
(Robin)
Baker
(tk)
exactly
(Robin)
that's what I said.
(tk)
No,you said the baker
(Robin)
That's what you told me.
(tk)
No, I did not. I said The Fletcher was Baker. That's the mans name
(Robin)
Baker
(tk)
Now,you have it
(Robin)
Assuming I get what I need from the fletcher. I need a tailor.
(tk)
pastor
(Robin)
No, I do not need to see a pastor, I need a tailor
(tk)
That's the man's name. Pastor is the tailor
(Robin)
So, the pastor is the tailor
(tk)
No, Cooper is the pastor, pastor is the tailor.
(Robin)
I don't need a cooper, I need the tailor
(tk)
exactly. pastor
(Robin)
So, let me see...I go to see the pastor and the fletcher
(tk)
No, you see the tailor, pastor and then the fletcher
(Robin)
The Baker.
(tk)
Listen closely, or you'll never get your room. You see Baker the Fletcher and Pastor, the tailor. Not, the baker and the pastor. You keep getting mixed up
(Robin)
I'll need to write this down
Ok, for footwear, Cobbler
(tk)
Butcher
(Robin)
The butcher makes shoes too.?
(tk)
No. Butcher is the cobbler
(Robin)
That's what I said
(tk)
Look, it's dead easy, you go to see Baker, Pastor and Butcher and you'll be set
(Robin)
I'll end up with bread , a bible and meat. How does this help me in an archery competition?
(tk)
No...you see baker the fletcher, pastor the tailor and butcher the cobbler. It couldn't get any simpler
(Robin)
Maybe I don't need that room after all.
(tk)
follow...fletcher baker pastor tailor butcher cobbler. then back here.
(Robin)
No...I think maybe....is there another village close by.
(tk)
Yes, on the other side of the three bridges
(Robin)
Which, as we know, do not exist
(tk)
And...they speak Welsh!!! your choice
fade out
Roger Turner - Poet
Sep 2013
Rusty dusty pick up trucks
Old Fords and busted Chevys
Trucks that tear the road apart
And some stuck down the levy
Showing off at the truck show
All polished up and nice
When an old man in a beat up Ford
Looked us over once or twice
It don't matter how the cover looks
It's what's beneath the hood
You may look awful pretty
But, with no power...it's no good
You wanna get the ladies
Remember, it's what's beneath the hood
Although they like a real good ride
There ain't no ride, if there's no wood
I smiled and I watched the gent
Walk and laugh and smile some
He'd mumble something to the girls
And they'd follow to where he'd come
His truck, was old and battered
Wasn't tricked out like the rest
But, when it came to having girls around
This old man was the best
It don't matter how the cover looks
It's what's beneath the hood
You may look awful pretty
But, with no power...it's no good
You wanna get the ladies
Remember, it's what's beneath the hood
Although they like a real good ride
There ain't no ride, if there's no wood
A truck may last a long long time
But you've got to use it right
You've got to check the engine
And try to run it every night
I remember what the old man said
It's about what's there beneath the hood
The girls don't want it pretty
The girls, they want it good.....
It don't matter how the cover looks
It's what's beneath the hood
You may look awful pretty
But, with no power...it's no good
You wanna get the ladies
Remember, it's what's beneath the hood
Although they like a real good ride
There ain't no ride, if there's no wood
Old Fords and busted Chevys
Trucks that tear the road apart
And some stuck down the levy
Showing off at the truck show
All polished up and nice
When an old man in a beat up Ford
Looked us over once or twice
It don't matter how the cover looks
It's what's beneath the hood
You may look awful pretty
But, with no power...it's no good
You wanna get the ladies
Remember, it's what's beneath the hood
Although they like a real good ride
There ain't no ride, if there's no wood
I smiled and I watched the gent
Walk and laugh and smile some
He'd mumble something to the girls
And they'd follow to where he'd come
His truck, was old and battered
Wasn't tricked out like the rest
But, when it came to having girls around
This old man was the best
It don't matter how the cover looks
It's what's beneath the hood
You may look awful pretty
But, with no power...it's no good
You wanna get the ladies
Remember, it's what's beneath the hood
Although they like a real good ride
There ain't no ride, if there's no wood
A truck may last a long long time
But you've got to use it right
You've got to check the engine
And try to run it every night
I remember what the old man said
It's about what's there beneath the hood
The girls don't want it pretty
The girls, they want it good.....
It don't matter how the cover looks
It's what's beneath the hood
You may look awful pretty
But, with no power...it's no good
You wanna get the ladies
Remember, it's what's beneath the hood
Although they like a real good ride
There ain't no ride, if there's no wood