Exemplar

I ate the mussels that were in the fridge,
Watched thirteen TV shows in half an hour,
Chose seven dirty copper pots to scour
And wrote an essay about Vimy Ridge,
I vexed an albatross, unsexed a midge,
Discovered four new uses for white flour,
Offered the neighbour a fresh whisky sour,
And beautifully rebuilt the Brooklyn Bridge.

Now I expostulate in sonnet form,
Explaining how I did it. You believe
I have exaggerated, that my sleeve
Shows old tomato stains, so a great storm
Of protest rises, though the night is warm –
One more example of what I achieve.