The exercise:
Write a four line poem about: playing pretend.
With my birthday coming up on Wednesday, tonight was the closest night that it worked for me and Kat to go out for dinner to celebrate it. Max wanted to know why he and Miles were going to go to Grandma and Papa's house for dinner.
"Because Mommy and Dada are going out for dinner."
"Why?"
"For my birthday."
"Is today your birthday?"
"No, it's on Wednesday."
"Is today your pretend birthday?"
"... yes."
It was the only way out.
Also: dinner was good. But took too long - Miles was a bit of a mess by the time we returned to pick the boys up. At least he went to bed quickly once we got home.
Mine:
All is as it seems,
Or so they say.
Now shut off your brains
And watch the play...
I think I'd have gone with pretend birthday too; sometimes that's the easiest option. And it's kind of true if you think about it: we move these days and dates around to fit in with all the other things we have to do, so we do pretend that the birthday/anniversary/funeral is happening on a different day celebrate/celebrate/send the hitmen accordingly.
ReplyDeleteI've had meals where it's taken too long and you're wondering why you're still sat there waiting instead of relaxing and enjoying, but I also had a Michelin-starred tasting menu a couple of years back and that took three hours but all of it was a joy. I'm glad you were able to calm Max down and get him off to bed fairly easily though.
I think you've just summarized the way Shakespeare used to view his plays, only he used to have a character say it at the end! Nicely done, and very true.
Playing pretend
They're doctors and nurses, but it's only pretend;
They're cowboys and indians (that's racist, you say??)
They're... morticians and hearses? Where will it end?
Let's tidy up and put these costumes away.
Greg - hah, yes indeed.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's one thing when you're expecting it to take a long time... quite another when you're not. Oh well, the food was very good at least.
Hahaha, I quite like the idea of children playing morticians and hearses! That's a great image :D