Only Macaroni

Cherry

By Bee

Thu, 21 Nov 2013
  • 6235 reads
25 comments
 

 

He asked if I could see macaroni

and I found it for him hid amongst a great array 

of pasta. Just another customer, like me,

but when he thanked me I felt almost tearful

in my gratitude that I hadn't let him down.

 

I bit my lip and started counting -

held my breath as if for the duration 

I might keep someone from dying.

But soon, I had to breathe again

and knew that millions were expiring 

all around the world.

 

Impossible to hold a breath forever -

I would, but no one can. And if I could

it wouldn't make a difference. I started praying

 

for the safety of everyone I knew.

Day in, day out I've prayed,

afraid to stop. But it's impossible to concentrate 

forever. So what happens if I quit?

 

When catastrophe befalls my children,

who will be to blame, but me?

So I continue with my supplications

in every conscious second, incase

I drift away and lose myself to doubt. 

 

And today I helped someone -

 

I was holding my breath and praying

and counting -

it was only macaroni, but I found it

on the shelf - 2 3 4...

 

Dear Lord,

please give me strength...

 

 

 

 

Certificate PG
Poem
Other Fiction

Comments

Submitted by hudsonmoon on

I'm really liking this, bee. Your last couple of writes have been wonderfully sharp.

Rich

 

Submitted by Bee on

Hi Rich. 'sharp' - I'm pleased with that.

Thank you.

 

Bee

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks Editor, for reading, and for the  cherries.

Bee

Submitted by Bee on

Hi Bear.

You've picked up on some of my intentions. 

Thank you so much.

Bee

Submitted by catherine poarch on

Apart from the direct reference to macaroni! - I know these fears. Thank you. This is a clever poem.smiley

 

Submitted by Bee on

Thank you Catherine. I'm glad it meant something to you. 

Bee

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

If I get you right, Bee, you're touching on the mystery of prayer and God's sovereignity, that he wants us involved and concerned rather than complacent and self-absorbed, and prayerful, but that all does not depend on our fragile stamina. But that leads to the perplexity of why he doesn't stop all suffering – yet. But we are often reminded that we don't have a full view of what is going on, and so must keep praying – with no panic! – and know we will see more clearly in eternity when this world's suffering will be fully ended.
Rh

 

Submitted by Bee on

Thank you Rhiannon, your words are always so comforting.

Bee

Submitted by VeraClark on

A lovely circular piece. Lots packed in this, really thought-provoking and the paranoia, humour aside, can be quite a typical response for some people. I think that chain reaction thing in the mind is spot on. (Not in my mind, of course..)

 

Submitted by Bee on

Hi Vera.

So pleased you saw what I was trying to get across. 

Thank you for your thoughts - very much appreciated,

Bee

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Bee, an exemplary write in a style that is all your own, more than deserving of its cherries.

Tina

 

Submitted by Bee on

Thank you very much, Tina, for such lovely comments. A style of my own - I think that comes down to the probability that I can't really do it, so I just make stuff up as I go. 

Pleased you liked it.

Bee

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Interesting how this poem develops from an individual act of assistance to concern for the whole of humanity, to a realisation of helplessness which can only be assuaged by prayer. Very meaningful.

 

Submitted by Bee on

Hi Luigi.

I was really pleased to get this comment from you, and that you saw so much in the writing. That means a lot,

thank you.

Bee

Submitted by Ed Crane on

Hi Bee,

I see someone with the world on their shoulders. Bear's comment was interesting since it struck me in the same way before I noticed his comment.

Some deep emotions in this piece, excellent work.

 

Submitted by Bee on

Thank you very much, Ed. I really appreciate your thoughts and comments.

Bee

Submitted by Parson Thru on

"I just make stuff up as I go"

Perfect.  Just keep doing it.

I recognise that fear: "What if I stop?"

Great stuff, Bee.

Parson Thru

Submitted by Bee on

Hi Kevin.

Thanks so much for your encouragement.

Bee

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on

A nice poem, Bee. A dilemma at first, meandering from activity to other challenges, then resting on a moment of space, contentment the destination. It was a worthwhile journey, eh?

Richard L. Provencher

Submitted by Bee on

Hi Richard. 

Pleased you took so much from this. I really appreciate your comments. Thank you for reading, and thinking.

Bee

Submitted by Richard L. Prov... on

You are very welcome, Bee.

Richard L. Provencher

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Bee,

You do pick the most unusual subjects, and then make them even more unusual in the way you deal with them. This is wonderful. I'm so pleased for you that it got such a lot of attention.

Jean Day

Submitted by Bee on

Thank you so much, Jean. Your comments were really nice and very much appreciated.

Bee

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Bee,

Back into your catalogue. I did comment on this one before, but enjoyed reading it again very much.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Bee on

Hello Jean.

Thank you for taking the time to read it again. That's very kind of you. 

Bee