Solitaire
I pluck a card from the display.
The words within gargle in my throat
Until my tongue longs to spit the sour.
I swallow the urge,
And place the card back into its slot.
This ritual repeats until options exhaust,
Save the cloying cards below
And the ostentatious offerings above.
How does something so seemingly simple
As purchasing a greeting card
Become a game of betting and bluffing?
I loathe to trite complications.
For whatever you were,
Whatever you are,
Whatever we are…
I know what I am not.
I skulk over to the blank card section.
I can write the truth there.
Not the whole truth.
But enough.
I choose a card with flowers.
You like flowers, don’t you?
A down to earth interpretation of this week's Mag - well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jinksy!
Deletehah! You described me to a tee hee! I hate picking out cards and usually go for the blank ones! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteKathe W, glad I'm not alone!
DeleteNicely done!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathleen!
Deletei know this feeling!! Nice take on the prompt.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kay!
DeleteOh yes, I mostly head to the blank for your own message cards too... the other ones have such yucky messages in! :)
ReplyDeleteFreyawrites, that's a good point. Often, it's better to write the sentiments ourselves.
DeleteI luv the progression of surprises in this poem, have a nicecSunday
ReplyDeleteMuch love...
Sharp, fresh, entertaining...
ReplyDeleteBerowne, thanks.
DeleteI do not envy the recipient of this floral card! :-)
ReplyDeletep.s. love love love the bitter bile oozing from your poem!! :-)
Take care
x
Old Kitty - bitter bile - wish I'd thought of that!
DeleteI head for the humor...
ReplyDeleteLiz, that's a wise move.
DeleteI can relate to that! Yes, go for the funny cards.
ReplyDeleteAlex, next time, that's where I'll go.
DeleteI think a flower card with a handwritten message from the heart means more than a poetic, canned message anyway. Unless the card is funny or plays music or something. There's no competing with that!
ReplyDeleteStephanie, I always get surprised when I open a card in the store and it plays music!
DeleteThis was an excellent poem, and I like the idea of writing the truth well enough of it. Creates a lovely sense of mystery. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you, MichaelT!
DeletePretty cool!
ReplyDeleteThanks, May.
DeleteI tend to choose the blank cards as well... the one's with words already printed tend to be so generic.
ReplyDeleteDana, that is true.
DeleteVery good Theresa and something I can relate to. I have gotten to the point where I select lots of blank on the inside cards so that I can write what I want. "Trite" is a great description of too many card contents.
ReplyDeleteSlamdunk, finding a blank card saves a lot of time, doesn't it?
Deleteall I can ever buy are funny ones, blank ones, or make my own.
ReplyDeletenice poem. strong ending and the title is great
Impressive that you make your own cards, BelindaBroughton.
DeleteI like the way you have described the card buying process poetically.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cait!
Delete"programme or be programmed !, " ....... She Said
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Kutamun.
DeleteSo true! I can spend hours comparing birthday cards etc, from all the shops in town to find an apt one. Blank card - best idea!
ReplyDeleteHelena, I agree. If it's so hard to find the right one, we're better off writing it ourselves.
DeleteTruth, an air of mystery. Great word choices. Great job, my friend! Skulk. What a word! Love it. xoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks a bunch, Robyn!
DeleteLove this! Finding the right card is impossible!!
ReplyDeleteThanks again for sharing this on Twitter, Jemi!
DeleteBeautiful poem. It also reminds me of the character Solitaire in a very old James Bond film.
ReplyDeleteMichael, I didn't even think of that reference. Thanks!
DeleteTheresa ~ pleased to meet you ~ I'm Eddie
ReplyDeleteLoved the way you tranpsed from playing card to greeting card - trying to find the right one. The right one is very rare but exists.
Love the way you wrote this.
Thanks, Eddie. I'm glad to hear it worked for you.
DeleteYes, as a matter of taste, I do like the flowers! A most smooth, lovely read, of truth dealt well by you.
ReplyDeleteKaren S., thank you very much!
DeleteI like this poem, Theresa; it's very well-written and I can definitely relate to it. It's also hard for me to pick out greeting cards sometimes, because the pre-printed messages usually say things that I don't feel.
ReplyDeleteNeurotic Workaholic, it's hard to let others speak for us.
DeleteI too would choose the blank card over a trite greeting, or some sickeningly sweet rhyme made for those who can't come up with the words themselves. Always best to keep things simple and to the point, and true to who we are!
ReplyDeleteGinny, well said! I agree.
DeleteWonderful poem. I don't enjoy card shopping with all the choices. I do have blank ones, though.
ReplyDeleteMedeia, yes, blank is better.
Deletewith the pic - brilliant! loved this! :D
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tammy!
DeleteChoosing just the right card isn't easy. Most of them say things that would never pass my lips. This piece is very well done!
ReplyDeleteBelva, yes, most of what's written in cards would never pass my lips either.
DeleteWhy are those cards so hard to pick out? Interesting take on the prompt..
ReplyDeleteThanks, Truedessa.
Delete