Eight-line Poems

Canny Sayings

Canny Sayings

“When in doubt, don’t do owt,”
is ancient Northern wisdom.
“Till May is out, don’t cast a clout,” *
one more from wisdom’s system.

“If ever thee does owt for nowt,
do it for thysen,” **
plenty more to make you shout,
and all will beat Mike Tyson.


* “Clout” in this context means clothing - from the Anglo Saxon for cloth
** Thysen” is Yorkshire speak for “thyself.”
Line count: 8
Form: Quatrains
For Express It In Eight, 01.19.23
Prompt: When in doubt.