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

[Andy Hunter]

I totally empathize with this. When I was 7, my younger brother arrived and throughout his growing up he could never do any wrong in the opinion of my parents. I must admit, he was the the blue boy. Problem is, years later he still believes the hype. Love this. Poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Really pleased you enjoyed the read. Many thanks for the review.

Chris

[Lisasview]

Good morning Chris...really loved your story..Great beginning, middle and end..
My mother often brought up things about how great another child was...My sister was 1 1/2 years younger than me and she would sort of pit her against me... Not sure how to describe it...
I think she was trying to force me to be better at this or that..But if I think back hard enough I do remember that she would pit me against my sister too..
For example... I bit my nails and she would say to my sister.."See no one will ever marry your sister because she bites her nails." I was very young... and grew out of that...but the memory is still there.
Parents often think they are doing the right thing...
Again, such a wonderful heartfelt poem..
Oh and I so love your new image...
Lisa

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning Lisa, thank you for your share here. It seems my words have unearthed some interesting and relatable thinking. Isn't it strange some of the things we remember our parents or grandparents saying to us? Pleased you liked the poem and the new avatar is a photo of my mum and dad, just engaged and in their teens. I love that pic. I feel the need to keep them close at present. Back to my roots. Have a lovely day my friend.

Chris

[Lisasview]

You are always welcome

[Foxemerald]

I was seven when my sister was born and was green with envy. I had specifically requested for my parents to give me a sister, and here it was- this sickly child with a myriad of health problems, with no interest in playing with me. I felt that she stole my precious grandmother and favorite aunt away from me- ohh, how I can relate!!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Foxemerald for sharing your thoughts. Pleased you dropped by.

Chris

[Gee]

Lol, the golden child. Met a few of those over the years. Love the reference to sweets from my childhood.
I worked in a newsagents before school and used to see myself as a baby Robin Hood, this done by supplying my mates with stolen goodies....bad me:))

[Chris Shaw]

Wot a naught boy even though well intentioned. Yes, we all know a golden child :)) Pleased you stopped by Gee to read this one. Happy Sunday.

Chris

[andrew mitchell]

Ha ha everybody seems to have their favs. Some turn out nice others spoilt brats. Some have the burden living up to parent’s high expectations. Nice writing as always.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Andrew. Hadn't thought about her for years till my sis and I found ourselves remembering her over a cuppa:) Couldn't stop laughing at our little selves.

[Fran Marie]

Seems Margaret was the
one starring in the limelight
while others stood in the shadows
I would venture to say most families
have the one that stands out from all
the rest...nicely penned poem

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fran. Yes, she was the shining star while the rest of us stood in the shade. We can laugh now, but not back then :) Thanks for stopping by.

Chris.

[Dara]

Somehow the name Margaret seems to fit her persona as well. (I am reminded of a character in a daytime show that was popular when we were young”Dennis the Mennis” and her name was Margaret.
This is a great story and told with wonderful images and clearly through the eyes of the eldest child who “arrived like a tube train in rush hour”. It was fun and lively to read, too.

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you could see the fun in this write Dara. Yes, she was a Margaret. Never a Meg, a Maggie or a Maggie. A proper Margaret:)Thank you Dara for your lovely review.

Chris

[Aura]

Oh my. Margaret seems like the perfect child. I understand how the others like you and maybe other cousins could have felt when the topic switched to Margaret. That feeling of dread and slight annoyance. Great way to express your memories about Margaret through a poem!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Aura. Yes back then Margaret was a bit of an irritant :) These days I can look back and smile. She may have been clever, but as an only child she didn't have the blessings of siblings to keep her company. I think she was lonely. Pleased you stopped by my friend.

Chris

[Aura]

Oh she was an only child?! Ah I can relate to that, we find ways to keep our selves company.

[...Relic...]

Being able to look back and laugh is a good feeling. My brother always got the attention. You'd think it was a celebration when he walked into the room compared to the dull 'hey," I got. But all is well and I'm not complaining. :)

Good poem, Chris with great metaphors. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you enjoyed the metaphors Tim. At least I didn't have sibling rivalry, it was outside the family. Poor Margaret an only child. It was me who was blessed with four siblings. She was lonely. Many thanks for stopping by.
.
Chris

[Cherrie]

I like how you dialed back time for this one. Channeling memories and that little girl you were.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Cherrie for taking a look at this very old memory. Pleased you called.

Chris