Our Saintly Margaret

My sis and I laughed so much recently remembering our cousin. Never discussed her before but shared exactly the same memories and feelings. A write from the perspective of a put out child!

as a seven year old
i was pig sick when
the conversation switched
like a blade to the much
blessed Margaret

overhearing how our
second cousin was
smarter than smart
with her vastly superior
learning skills

everything she touched
with her precocious
digits turned to
gasps of delight
fueled astonishment

a precious child
long awaited
doted on by Baptist parents
a gift sent from the
good Lord himself

while I the eldest
of five arrived
like a tube train
in rush hour to young
unprotected parents

with their hands
too full while their
energy tanks ran on
almost empty
her visits left me cold

my eyes a shade
of flash green envy
don't mention her name
what a pain in an
ice-cream day

what a lollipop spoiler
what a sherbert lemon
without the stick
of black liquorice
she became

dib dib dab
what a bad girl
not liking the halo gleaming
Sunday best dress
Margaret

Reviews

[W. Barrett Munn]

Absolutely magnificent! This is everything a lyric poem should be. I subscribe (for free) to the Rattle daily poem and this one of yours would fit in perfectly with all of those they paid to use. You really, truly outdid yourself here, Chris.

Twelve thumbs up!

[Chris Shaw]

Aw thank you for that really encouraging review WBM. This poem came about after a conversation with my sis. We hadn't mentioned Margaret for years and yet we both felt the same about her :) I can laugh now but as a seven year old she was not flavour of the month. Pleased you liked this one.

Chris

[Robert Haigh]

Ha-ha! I think most of us have had relatives or friends of the family who had that "golden child" that everyone (especially the child's parents) talked about. Too good to be true, yet there they were, constantly putting us in the shade. Sad thing is, such a "golden child" is often not very happy, and wish they could be more like us! Time can change our perspective on such things and we can laugh about it later. Yes, I can relate!

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for relating Robert. Poor Margaret probably didn't have much fun on reflection. I had four siblings and she had none. Must have been quite lonely for her. I think you are right about the "golden child" not always being happy. I appreciate the review Robert.

Chris

[Weeping willow]

Wonderfully expressed Poem and enjoyed reading it. ;-}

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Weeping willow. I have no scars :)) My sis and I laughed as I composed this poem. Pleased you enjoyed it.

Chris

[CD Campbell]

I've had to deal with that myself. I commiserate with you. "Oh Corey, why can't you be like so and so? "
Heard that my entire youth. Hated it. It didn't dawn on me till later that I was a complete shithead. Oh, the stories of my screw ups still embarrass me to this day. Legendary. LOL. Glad we're both doing well and we can laugh at the Margaret's of our past.

I think your imagery on this one is on point. I love the green shade of envy in the eye. Lollipop, sherbert lemon, Baptists, and Pigsick. Five line stanzas with each line as sharp as a penknife. Very enjoyable. Little laughs and stories from our past kick us back to who we were. Funny scamps. Good work, Chris. CD

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you enjoyed the read CD. Thanks so much for the review. Yes I can laugh now but I can remember the green eyes back then :))

Chris

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

sibling rivalry has been around since call and able. you're words express how agrivating it can be.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for stopping by Dale. I can laugh now :)

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem dear Chris. Memories become gold with time. You honored dear Margaret and thanked you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Coyote. Little Margaret did very well for herself in life, and I did even better. My sis and I enjoyed the memory over a cuppa recently. All good wishes my friend.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Chris.

[Dave Brown]

A tube train in rush hour
You are far from alone in that metaphorical description of the baby birthing business
Jealousy seems to be quite a normal human condition that comes and goes through life.
Ain't life grand

[Chris Shaw]

Yes a little bit of green eye as a child at all the attention she was receiving, and my sis had the green eye too :) These days envy is not on the agenda. Thank you Dave

[Jenni Bailey]

Love the words! Has a rhythm

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Jenni. I appreciate you stopping by to share your thoughts. You are most welcome.

read moreThanks Jenni. I appreciate you stopping by to share your thoughts. You are most welcome.

Chris

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Your words really spoke to me Chris and felt so very relatable. I myself had always had an envy toward my older brother who at a young age was deemed special by my parents. Being a middle child didn't help me either. Having to fight for scraps of attention with my younger sibling who had the advantage because he was the baby. I was the forgotten one. And at that young age held contempt for my older brother that in hindsight was misplaced, and perhaps was even unwarranted. Though in my defense he and my younger brother did tie me up with rope and left me in a closet for hours to be finally discovered by my mom at night. And the event would leave me with permanent claustrophobia for the rest of my life. But I'm not mad...well...maybe haha. A wonderful piece Chris. Thank you for sharing.

[Chris Shaw]

Oh my Carlos. What naughty brothers you had. No wonder you suffer from claustrophobia. I was fortunate because no comparisons were made between me and Margaret. It was just what I overheard. I disliked her. If there had been comparisons I think I would have hated her :)) Thank you for sharing your own experience here. Pleased dear Carlos you stopped by.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the metaphors are fantastic in this, Chris...the tube train, lollipop spoiler, the sherbert lemon (we ate lots of sherbert in NY...good humor man delivering the ice cream.

This poem reminds me so much of my mom's half sister, Lucille....and what Grandpa Brule and his nasty wife (my mom's stepmom) thought of her...and how they doted on her and crushed my mom's spirit at the same time.
Best dressed, my butt.
God, I love this poem....I think it is my favorite ever from you...

I am dancing to it.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

You know you have made my day. I was so unsure about posting this :) My sister loved it, but she's no poet. Thanks my fabulous friend.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

There seems to be one in a family that is favored for various reasons...brilliance, beauty, et al. And then the others must suffer for her blatant attention and praise. I can empathize you you, my dear, for just her presence around you, wanting her to disappear like a snake. was the middle of three, and suffered in that I got the least attention. So my purpose was to make my friends like sibs, and run to their parents for comfort .....This very poignant and well written dear Chris. I feel it!
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Betty thanks for sharing your own sad experience of feeling shut out. Fortunately I wasn't compared to Margaret, I just heard the adults talking. Needless to say I would have been very happy not to have to spend time with her. I appreciate you dear friend for stopping by.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

I will always stop by Chris, never worry; I love your poetry and always look for your readings!
read moreI will always stop by Chris, never worry; I love your poetry and always look for your readings!
Best, B