The Devil in Mrs Jones

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Mon, 17 Feb 2014
  • 3091 reads
14 comments
 
Custom dictates they close all the drapes,
this dull, rainy morning in Leamington Spa
for, Mrs Smith-Jones, you are lately departed –
left this leafy-green crescent behind.
 
The grandfather clock, downstairs in the parlour,
ticks doggedly on, where you once sipped your tea,
crooked a manicured pinkie, nibbled brown, bourbon
biscuits with your rodent-like friends from the WI.
 
Upstairs, in the boudoir, your coffee – half-drunk,
in its bone china cup, gold rimmed, and discreet,
on the tray by your bed; in a vase by the window
a bouquet of roses shed their petals – snow-white.
 
Your funeral pyre, dear Mrs Smith-Jones, 
has long-since gone out, the will has been read,
and your feline companion with emerald eyes, 
sits preening her fur, now considerably richer than he.
 
Not that it matters, dear Mrs Smith Jones
your beloved late husband will be drinking a toast;
glad you got your come-uppance in double-quick time;
a smidgeon of justice for a two-timing wife. 
 
Custom dictates they pull back the drapes,
this bright, sunny morning in Leamington Spa,
and I trust that your fire won’t need stoking today –
the devil it don’t, dear Mrs Smith-Jones.
Certificate 15
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Spiritual
Surreal
Humour
Love

Comments

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Tina

This is such fun to read. And very cleverly written. We're left to wonder and speculate about whether she was murdered, and whether the husband will keep the rich cat around.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Hi there, Jean.  Your words mean very much to me. This is a poem I have been trying to write for literally years, and it has taken many forms and guises.  It seems I might just have hit on the right formula at last.  So pleased you enjoyed, and I loved your reference to 'the rich cat', which it most certainly iswink

Tina

 

Submitted by celticman on

poor Mrs Jones and a happy cat is just purrfect.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

...as is your lovely comment, celtic.  Thank yousmiley says she, grinning like  the proverbial Cheshire variety.

Tina

 

 

Submitted by Bee on

What a great, fun poem. Quite delightful!

Bee

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thank  you, Bee. Pleased you thought so.smiley

Tina

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

As I read this poem Tina,  I could imagine it set to music and sung by Tracy Chapman,  now isn't that strange?

Your work seems to get better and better,  I really don't know how you do it...but I'm glad you do,  it was so good to come back to.

Really enjoyed.

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Hi there, Jenny. I have missed yousad but it's sooo good to have you backsmiley

As I was explaining, this poem was first written years ago now...for a good friend, in fact, who was starting up a poetry e-zine, which is no longer functional now, unfortunately.  II was never happy with the poem, though, and over the years it has changed and changed again, to end up here, and it means so much to me that you liked it.  Now you come to mention it, it would lend itself very well to a Tracy Chapman number.  You are inspired...most certainly.

Hope things are OK with you, and that you are managing to dry out after the recent, ongoing deluge.

Tina

 

Submitted by VeraClark on

Oooh Tina, what a nasty smiling knife of a narrative voice. A steady drip of sarcasm, so kindly put. Would make a good play, as well.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

So pleased you enjoyed this so much, Vera...almost as much, possibly, as I enjoyed writing itwink

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Dear Tina, I must have read an earlier draft of this poem as it sounds very famliar but even if it is a re-worked piece it is still a clever and caustic piece as the one I remember.

Love, Luigi xxx

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Hi there, Luigi.  As I've said before, your memory is incredible.  Yes, this poem, in its infancy, was written especially for the first ever edition of La Fenetre in 2007.  Then, it was entitled 'The Window'...strangely enough, because in the original version the main theme was indeed a window.  It has changed much over the years, but the setting remains the same, except  Mrs Smith-Jones, was then referred to as merely, Milady.

Much love

Tina xxx

 

Submitted by prettyrose on

smileyWow Tina, Just brilliant like your work is. I could not stop reading, the grandfather clock made me wanting moresmiley.

 

I liked how you added your own elegant touch, I have read '2 versions of The Widow' but this is what I enjoyed the most, by faryes

 

Well Done

 

Take Care

 

Trish xx

smiley Keep Smiling

Keep Writing xxx

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, so very much, Trish.  So glad you liked thissmiley

Tina xx