Sunday, April 12, 2009

April poem no. 12

Today's April PAD prompt is to take the phrase "So we decided to (blank)" and fill in the blank. Make that the title and write a poem.

I dedicate this silly little poem to Paul. He loved to watch Mr. Rogers' Neigborhood, and I'd sit for hours watching it with him. His favorite part was about the Purple Planet and the Purple People who lived on it. Perhaps that is why purple was always his favorite color. My husband and I liked to use the phrase, "go bother the king," in our interactions with Paul. And, he wasn't bothered by it at all.

So We Decided to Bother the King

Mr. Rogers swept open the door
hung up his jacket
and changed into his cardigan and sneakers,
all the while singing
his little welcome to our
Neighborhood song.
He introduced Lady Aberlin
who took us on the Neighborhood Trolley
to go bother her uncle,
the impervious Neighborhood monarch,
and hand puppet,
King Friday XIII.
The king liked formality,
“Lady Aberlin, I presume?”
and was given to long-winded speeches
and irrational behavior.
He had a temper, but always
welcomed lessons learned
if one of his plans
went South.

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