All the Things You Can’t Do

another old one originally popped inside my daughter Bex's school lunchbox over 20 years ago...

All the Things You Can’t Do

 

You can’t go to school

With odd socks on

One pink the other one blue

You can’t play in the snow

With no clothes on

You might catch a cold

In your didgeridoo

 

You can’t fall asleep

With the light on

You can’t eat soup with a fork

You can’t read a book

With your eyes shut

Or run before you can walk

 

You can’t strike a match

On a jelly

You can’t jump as high

As the moon

All these things you can’t do

Take no time at all

So there’s plenty left

To tidy your room

 

 

Author's Note

bring it on, why don'tcha

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'All the things you cant't do'
Neville Pettitt,
It must be wonderful to of ofound this one! Connection-reminder of the reality of the then and now. Real and wonderful. Well people whether young or old can if they like listen and learn from one another. This poem is great as the focus is a light hearted accepting of the way things are not how we wish. Let's move on from there, relax and just breathe. Sounds good to me!
Blessings,
Kathy

[Neville]

Hey Kathy, many big thank you's.. your time spent considering these words and your very reasoned response are much appreciated, as always..... Neville

[jacob erin-cilberto]

ha ha...my mom would have liked this...
she often went on tirades about my room.
you brought me back...i still try to eat soup with chopsticks...never works.
j.

[Neville]

snap... smiling here & so very true.. bless ya jacob.. Neville

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Sweet! What a great Dad you were and are Neville. Using your poetry to teach childhood lessons is the best method ever. Cleaning rooms- or should I say not cleaning them- is the age-old issue. This whimsical, beautifully worded and rhymed poem teaches gently and humorously. Did it help Bex to channel her energy into more industrious and practical pursuits? Lovely write.

[Neville]

Thank you dear Annette, how very kind & of course, very much appreciated.. Bex is currently in the final year of her second degree.. she got a first several years ago in cinematography/film production... and is now studying to become a General Nurse..... tidy in all aspects except for... have a guess..... All Good Things my Friend, Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Don't talk to me about bedrooms. Especially girls. Theirs are always far untidier than those of boys. I love your can't do's. This is such a lovely sweet poem for Bex. I hope she really enjoyed it and have you passed on your love of poetry to her? I love "you can't strike a match on a jelly". That gives me some great imagery. Somewhere I have a "Hurricane Beth", same topic. How wonderful to put a poem in your daughter's lunch box. What a great Dad, I am suitably impressed.

Chris

[Neville]

Ha.. too true.. would love to read 'Hurricane Beth' some time... oh' and before I get carried away... Thank you Chris... Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Will have to dig into the archives to see if I can find it. Wot a whirlwind was she!

[Neville]

yes please.........