Nip It in the Bud

 

 

From “Just one more thing”

To “Nip it in the bud”,

From Colombo to Barney Fife

Two characters I love.

 

I watch many old shows

And Internet movies,

Wifey and I do so regularly;

As a matter of fact, daily.

 

And we still get a laugh

Each time we watch,

Especially watching Barney Fife

Constantly botch.

 

 

Like Lieutenant Colombo

Barney too has a quip,

“Nip it in the bud,” he often says

But still falls for the trick.

 

“Nip it in the bud, Andy!”

This in respect to Opie

Having done something wrong

Thus, raised by Barney.

 

 

 

Opie was Andy’s son

Whose mother had passed

And his interaction with Barney

Was utter class.

 

He reprimanded Andy

To “nip it in the bud”

Pertaining to the young Opie

Whom Andy loved.

 

He was Andy’s deputy

And he carried a gun,

The many times he misfired it

Gave us much fun.

 

 

Sheriff Andy allowed him

Only one bullet

And he had to catty that bullet

In his top pocket.

 

How he became a sheriff

I would never know

For he was the most bungling one

Ever put on show.

 

“Nip it in the bud”

Was talk and not practice

For Barney’s faults and errors

Comprised a long list.

 

 

Like Colombo in his show

Barney was a formidable star

And outdid many other comics

That tried to be on par.

 

 

Just taking a look at him

Would make you laugh,

Barney’s varied facial gymnastics

Would crack you in half.

 

“Nip it in the bud!

You got to nip in the bud!”

And given his drama and gravity,

He would if he could.

 

This was Barney Fife

Of the Andy Griffith show,

Not taking away from Andy himself

Whom we also know.

 

 

“Just one more thing”,

You must “nip it in the bud”,

This is good advice to follow;

If you can, you should.

 

Stewart Russell © October 11, 2024