Black housefly, a speck, there upon a far wall,
compound eyes, twin antennae absorbing it all -
unfolding of drama ‘twixt large girl and small.
The first snarls “No!”; cries the other “I’ll tell!”
then Mama butts in as it’s not going well;
“You share with your sister, and do it ‘mach schnell’!”
The chicken and noodles and broth were prepared,
for noodles the older one only had cared;
with flashing of craftiness sweetly declared:
“You choose, little sister, the first bowl or last,
I’ll serve it up for you, we’ll share this repast.”
“The first!” piped the younger; the lots were now cast!
The ladle was scooping, the noodles but two
when bowl reached the table and preschooler’s view;
“But I wanted noodles!” she whined;
“Oh, did you?”
“The noodles are always the second bowl served,
you chose what you wanted, got what you deserved;
remember that this time, your choice was preferred!”
A decade had passed, married sister’s the scene,
when lunch soup was offered a middle-aged teen;
“The second bowl, please!” met look puzzled, serene.
“The one with the noodles” she further explained,
her sibling then laughed, became quite unrestrained;
as dawned comprehension, embarrassment flamed!
A running jest now, when we’re wanting to tease,
“The first or the second bowl, how do you please?”
Author notes
mach schnell (Ger.) : be quick about it
A scene I would love to have observed as a fly on the wall! I insisted they share, but missed out on "the rest of the story" until over a decade later!
In a list
A contest entry
- Fly On The Wall/Quickie/10/30 by imahealer.
525 points, ended March 14, 2008, 6 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Write me funny! by Rebekah-Ann.
1400 points, ended June 2, 21 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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Fun poem!
Very entertaining. Yes, the funny things our children do and say can provide laughter for decades! I am glad that you finally found out the rest of the story. I kept very sporadic journals when my two children were young. I wish I had done a better job of it as you do forget those funny things that you think you will always remember.
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Thank you, BellaD, for reading and commenting. Yes, children can be thoroughly amusing (as can forgetful parents!)
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your skill...
of rhyme and imagery are second to none!
congrats on the well deserved silver trophy...
this is an example of your stellar vocabulary and rich imagination Diane...
great penning!
Blessings! Tammy
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Having failed to do well at keeping a journal, I am trying, where possible, to put down some of my family memories when they relate to a prompt
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Yup! These kind of issues always came up in our household, when I was one of seven. Whose portion is bigger - especially dessert! My mother tried to be so even handed, but it didn't always work out. Fun piece!
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*sigh* Why do you keep writing poetry about me? I did like the meter, but it was off in some of the lines... "I'll serve it up for you" in line 11,and there's an extra syllable at the beginning of line 14. But that's all. The rhyming flowed quite nicely and you communicated the story quite well (personal feelings aside). It's gut.
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Thank you, my Precious!
I altered line 14, and when I beat it out, couldn't find where it was off in 11. Thank you so much for taking the time to point those out for me!
I write about you because...you are Inspirational!!!
I write the memories that make me smile or help me remember lessons. And all of you kids have a bit of sea-lawyer in you! If you check the bottom of my page, most of the stories are family ones, many of which you may recognize. We are an entertaining group!
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The pecking order among siblings is amusing to watch and leaves lifelong impressions. As the middle child, I could see it happening among us. The oldest brother lording it over the younger ones. Our mother never knew half of what went on. wonderful story!
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I still occasionally get the "Oh, didn't you know about..." followed by a great story! Such creative people I am blessed to know!!
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TITLED WELL
This is just wunderbar! hehe I speak Yiddish, so I knew what that meant! This is quite the creative story and within, a lesson to be learned. LOved the non-forced rhyme scheme. This is something my sister and I would have done as children, but I was the antagonist. Delightful. Thank you so much for entering my contest! Best wishes.
Shana -
What an endearing scene and family story! Never would one envy those pesky decomposers until missing such a scene. Quite wonderfully told--captivating and entertaining. I love the double meaning of the title. very.
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Thank you, ten! I am sure you also find inspiration from a trove of family experiences!
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