The Unwelcome Guest

He went ashore with the duty crew

The moment they got their leave,

And headed home for his two by two

And his waiting Genevieve,

He wore his official navy rig

With the medals on his chest,

Had taken pains that his suit was clean

And his blue jean collar pressed.

He followed the crazy paving that

Led up to his cottage door,

Could only see a glimmer of light

A smidgen of light, no more,

A heavy footfall came to the door

And flung it out wide, apace,

While he stood grim, and staring at him

A man with a stranger’s face.

Then Genevieve came breathlessly out

Went breathlessly up to him,

I want you to meet a cousin of mine,

He’s staying with us, meet Jim.

The sailor took a step in the door

And shouldered the man away,

‘I see,’ he said, ‘not seen him before,

I’ll see if your Jim can stay.’

They settled down in the kitchen, sat

Across the table and glared,

While Genevieve had served up a meal

A meal that had been prepared,

‘So who’s your cousin related to,

Your mother’s side, or your Da’s?’

She stopped for a moment then to think

‘It must have been Grandpa’s.’

But he’d grinned over the table then

At Genevieve, this Jim,

And that was the moment the sailor knew

That he’d been suckered in.

‘I don’t think this is your cousin, dear,

But there, I think you knew,

And hit the stranger fair in the face

With a plate of boiling stew.

I think that he scarred the guy for life

For his skin came off in strips,

While Genevieve took a paper towel

And tried to save his lips,

‘Take your mate to the Rose and Crown

And buy him a cooling beer,’

The sailor said, as he cuffed her head

‘For you’ll not be staying here.’

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[TPK Stories]

The risks of cheating and lying about it.... good story.

[Coyote Poetry]

A very good story shared my friend. I love your story. Old fashion feel and you make the reader part of the story. Thank you David for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Unwanted and a little bit to much, those times when we get our own, is rare indeed, well done, good read.

[Barbz]

Oh Jim.....He certainly was an unwelcome guest, as far as the Sailor was concerned....but who was cheating who? Genevieve served up a boiling stew which the sailor threw into Jims face, payback for possible benefits received, and wasn't it strange that his breathless wife immediately tended to her "cousins" lips. Perhaps the sailor was neglecting hers!!.....as in ..."Thank You Ma'm". I got a kick out of that one DLP.....Barbz

[Valentine]

Thanks for a Sunday afternoon laugh. They got just what they were looking for. Cheating sucks. Valentine

[MomzillaNC]

An understandable, if troubling response

[Einstein Noodle]

enjoyed reading ..and this time the "sap" is not a patsy! love that! love the sailor .. i served in the Navy meself :)
E.