April 1, 2014

  • Looking Simple

    When you break it down to small bites
    The problem becomes easier to digest
    Complexity reduced to simplicity
    Just as one cherry added to another
    Can fill the crust of that very pie
    Which even Simple Simon is capable
    Of making, baking and selling delicious
    Why then must government insist
    That deficit and budget are beyond
    The comprehension of mere mortals
    When I learned as a child –
    You can’t buy it unless you have the money
    And if your neighbor is in need you share

    Today is the first day of April which starts National Poetry Month. The above poem is the first for the NPM scavenger Hunt using the prompt #1 - simple. It is also April Fool's Day. I don't go around pranking people. As a rule I have a very hard time lying. But I've had my moments. I will come clean on one of my unintentional pranks that was unplanned. Several years ago my little sister (re)gifted me with a large box of assorted Jelly Belly licorice candies. Inside were red, white, and black colored gummies, jelly beans, twists and bits. Although they may have looked red or white, they were in fact hard core black licorice inside. I love licorice and I took the box to work to enjoy. One of my coworkers ventured into my office to chat and I offered her some of the candy. She selected a piece of the red candy and relished the flavor. Shortly another coworker came in and I offered her a piece as well. She at first declined saying that she had a presentation for her class after work and didn't want her lips to turn black. Without pause or hesitation I lied to her, "Take a white one they won't turn your lips or tongue black." So she selected a white one and proceeded to savor it by running it over her teeth and swishing it around her mouth until her lips were a deep purple-black, the teeth slate grey and her tongue looking like a Chow Chow's! At that point I made eye contact with the other coworker and we exploded with laughter. Between gasps and howls I confessed, "I lied!" She didn't know what I meant until she looked in the mirror... She did forgive me and we laughed about it for weeks.

Comments (24)

  • Yes, simple is better. One piece at a time.

    I don't have an April fool joke. I am 80-no joke. married to my high school girl friend--not joke. All my kids in their 50's--no joke.

    frank

  • I wonder if this is why I don't like licorice...and is there a cure for chow tongue? Happy NPM and April Fools Day!

    • Time and milk will usually take care of the color - of course you could always brush your teeth and tongue!

  • at the dr. office I would have people call in cause either their tongues or their child's was black.
    I said,"did you take Peptopismol?

  • I haven't had that in years. On the other hand Shame on you!...:)

    • It was in fun and I really don't know what came over me! I haven't done anything like it since (it has been at least 5 years!)...

  • FYI--I am having trouble posting today.

  • Shame on you, for lying, LOL!! That is just so funny!! And hey, we've all done it a time or two, or even three!! Lol!!

    The poem is beautifully written....

    And Frank, until just now, I was unable to even get on Xanga, let alone write, or anything else.....

  • Starting from now I would have defiance when you will offer candy to me, Val!! :) :)
    Love
    Michel

  • I'm not too keen on the taste of licorace, so I might have evaded a black tongue but then again, you might have convinced me to try a different color saying it tasted different.
    So far today I have received no jokes played against me, but then I haven't gone anywhere until now and only to check xanga.
    Have a great day.

  • My pants may be wet, but yours are on fire!

    • Hehe! Yep. But I came clean and I did apologize. All was forgiven... and I haven't repeated that crime since.

  • I one time fooled someone with an elaborate story that I made up... it was fun! Most of the time I cannot fool people!
    I enjoyed your prank, & am glad that your co-worker had a good sense of humor!
    I enjoyed your poem, & how each part built on the previous part... & then ended with a good moral. :-)

  • I too have a hard time lying, even when it's for a good cause.

  • Powerful words Val! Why indeed? It's just simple math!

    • Hehe! I generally don't get political but sometimes it is much simpler than the politicians let on...

Comments are closed.

Post a Comment