Idioms and idiots and Americanisms: A poem

It has come to my attention
that I really know not much
about this culture I live in
the way you speak and such

I get that I am different
I will now show you why
so go ahead make fun of me
laugh until you cry

I’m not an American
although try to blend
and in my proper English speak
I really must defend

That when you say:
an ax to grind or a chip upon his shoulder
I think you’re slicing potatoes
to be worn in some sort of holster

and when I hear:
bend over backwards
or barking up the wrong tree
I think you and your dog
are doing gymnastics just for me

So go ahead and tell me:
Elvis has left the building
and I drove someone up the wall
I will wait for his return
and try to catch them in case they fall

Please explain:
how to keep your head up
and a knee jerk reaction
all these body parts flying
really sounds kind of fun

So go ahead and use them
use them all you see fit
but understand we have our own
repertoire of shit

So let us say to you:
the actress said to the bishop
or all talk and no trousers
just lie back and think of England
there’s a couple of arouser’s

or perhaps we might slip in:
before you can say knife
bent as a nine bob note
or black as a Newgate’s knocker
did that one get stuck in your throat?

it’s all cat’s arse and cabbage
some might be inclined to say
trying to explain it is damp squib
you might have to fill in a blank
or even need ad-lib

so let’s pull a Dunkirk spirit
and just agree to disagree
not everyone can be so lucky
to talk as well as we

like giving a donkey strawberries
like a bear with a sore head
laugh to see the pudding crawl
some things are better left unsaid