The Turkey

Gobble...

Once upon a midnight dreary while I pondered weak and weary,

considering the morrow’s horrid chore

There were many tough decisions I thought through with great precision

Yet there were so many factors to ignore

As I stared at dying embers I was burdened by November

Oh why had I agreed to do this deed?

In all my years of living, I’d not cheffed my own Thanksgiving

and tomorrow twenty guests I had to feed

I stressed over the shopping and I started on pre-chopping

but still the bird was frozen halfway through

I’d made it my obsession to make a grand impression

though my trial mashed potatoes seemed like glue

As that poultry sat there mocking my success this iceberg blocking,

I wondered if hot gravy I should pour

I fear my effort’s naught and I’m really quite distraught ~

this turkey will have thawed out…

 nevermore.

Author's Note

Second write for The Raven contest...

Reviews

[SyberRose]

This is really good Rita...I had that chore plenty of times ha...nicely done:)

[Rita L. Sev]

I try to avoid it... :) Thanks, Rose!

[Angel]

This is precious! The other one is more Poe-ish, but this one is superbly silly!
Either one is a winner...

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Angel - silly is definitely more my style! :)

[Angel]

LOL...I wasn't going to say that...but you are sooo right!!

[ayosonolowo]

A splendid write;; nice writting

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you!

[ayosonolowo]

You're welcome

[Einstein Noodle]

love it. seems not an easy task in the writing. wonderful humor throughout.
E.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, E! This was a bit of a challenge, but fun to write.

[Leonard Birch]

Excellent Rita. I enjoyed this work, but remind me not to try cooking Turkey. Packaged Potatoe is a go. Just add water.
Thank you for a great write.
Cheers

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Leo - this explains why I don't cook very often... :)

[shallimarRose]

What is the Raven Contest?? I wrote one a few years back called "Ballad of the Turkey" for Thanskgiving.. Ill have to try and find it.. lol

[Rita L. Sev]

Here is the link to the contest:
http://www.writerscafe.org/contests/The-Raven-Contest-/48699/

I often check out the contests when I am in need of inspiration, and this looked like fun!

[shallimarRose]

thanks ill ck it out.. I have done a couple of them.. xo

[richom]

Both are extraordinary; but, in my opinion, this is the better one. The imagery as you describe problems preparing the meal is great. And the concluding "nevermore" is sublime.
Also, I think the cadence and flow here is even better than the other poem. The presence of an "s" on decisions and embers, but not on their rhyming words is the only flaw I can see; but that is as trivial as a grain of sand considering how remarkable and entertaining the poem is. I envy the breadth and depth of your talent. Richard

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Rich - I appreciate your thorough review and definitive opinion - I think I will be going with this one. If nothing else, it is certainly more "me". :)

[Sami Khalil]

A very funny and obsessively great poem on the poor turkey. Your efforts are not naught writing this one but commendable...:)

[Rita L. Sev]

Ha! I guess I write much better than I cook... Thanks, Sami! :)

[Sami Khalil]

Hahaha. Good to know...You are welcome...:)

[Jack...]

This definitely made me smile as I have experinced this before. Nice one Rita.

[Rita L. Sev]

Glad to give a smile! Thanks, Jack!

[Cassie]

As that poultry sat there mocking my success this iceberg blocking,---this line is funny,
I enjoyed reading the whole piece.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Cassie! Glad you enjoyed!