Gossip
Gossip
Betty Martini divorces husbands when they least expect it.
On a seeming whim, she pays a visit to dear Arnold,
who keeps her papers handy in his top desk drawer.
She initials here and there, signs with a flourish,
leaves town and the details to him.
The exes become lackluster. Although they remain tall,
they fool no one. Any old tie will do for Roger.
Jean-Baptiste neglects his funds. Cornell is fat
and Lowell wanders Brazil paying for sex.
Perry suffers cruelly. He'd lasted longest, you know—
five sumptuous years. While having drinks at Mimi's
he confided that although the siren call of suicide has blared,
he's a responsible employer in a down economy
and so holds on, a slave to his duty.
That's a lotta husbands.
That's a lot of story packed in 14 lines and a few revealing details like that top drawer.
Heh. I had an aunt like this...
This is all really great, and I'm a little jealous of these lines, wish I'd written them:
"The exes become lackluster. Although they remain tall,
they fool no one. Any old tie will do for Roger.
Jean-Baptiste neglects his funds. Cornell is fat
and Lowell wanders Brazil paying for sex.
Perry suffers cruelly. He'd lasted longest, you know—
five sumptuous years. While having drinks at Mimi's
he confided that although the siren call of suicide has blared,
he's a responsible employer in a down economy
and so holds on, a slave to his duty." *
Zsa Zsa. This would be a hoot read at Open Mic Nite. *****
Cruel Betty Martini has a lawyer named Arnold. Great. You capture her casual cruelty so well. The lines Kathy mentions are super. *
so much to love in this, Nonnie. Great work. "*"
Gives new meaning to the phrase, "I eat men like air".*
Fun stuff! -*
Predatory serial monogamist well pictured,
This was a great romp through an ambitious woman's relationships. I echo what Kathy Fish outlined as her 'fave lines' and wish I'd written them too! One tiny suggestion...not sure if you need 'seeming' before "whim?" Are they not too similar? If something is done on a whim, isn't it already 'seeming?' Either way, love this! *
I particularly feel for Lowell. *
*, Nonnie. I like this well-written story. And, by the way, when you see Betty tell her I said." I think she ought try getting to know them before she marries them. Not after."
***
The first line's a zinger.*
Poor Perry, a slave to duty. Deft to end there.
Screamingly funny, Nonnie, absolutely loved it. Great writing & character sketching in a tight, amusing poem.
Love this colorful piece! *
Good stuff.*