Mish is hosting Open link night in dverse Poets Pub!!
Published in September, 2013 ~ Brian Miller was the first comment ~ how time flies!
the boy:
math anxiety strikes
renders him helpless
squirming, he knows it's
proper etiquette to leave a tip
struggles to appear grown up
body language has betrayed him
~ out of his element
the porter:
unable to halt the smile
spreading across his face
he knows twenty years of saving tips
put two sons through college
patient and compassionate
no need to prove himself
~ at ease in his element
math anxiety strikes
renders him helpless
squirming, he knows it's
proper etiquette to leave a tip
struggles to appear grown up
body language has betrayed him
~ out of his element
the porter:
unable to halt the smile
spreading across his face
he knows twenty years of saving tips
put two sons through college
patient and compassionate
no need to prove himself
~ at ease in his element
smiles...cool look at both perspectives...the experienced and the inexperienced...
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brian - neat.
ReplyDeleteI feel like that boy whenever I have to figure out tips! This was a great interpretation of the picture, Helen!
ReplyDeletelovely interpretation of two lives woven together for a short while..
ReplyDeleteThere is usually at least two sides to every story and I've enjoyed reading them here. Thank you, it's a great interpretation of the image.
ReplyDeleteI like this one.
ReplyDeletenicely done...thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting contrast of personalities. Very well done, Helen.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hug!
When tipping always round up...
ReplyDeleteIt was probably only 10% back then as well...
ReplyDeleteLovely...such truly felt qualities..love this!
ReplyDeleteThis prompt really lends itself to excellent interpretations such as yours.
ReplyDelete...math... 'tis why I carry a calculator :)
ReplyDeleteI love the comparisson and perspectives you layed out here Helen...awesome as always! :-)
ReplyDeleteI love it! Tips strike me with anxiety, too...
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for the boy, with his math anxiety – I know what that’s like – and I know nothing about tipping etiquette. The porter is such a lovely guy!
ReplyDeleteLovely... and tipping is challenging both from a math perspective and from even understanding why we tip... I love Norman Rockwell paintings.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the way you interpreted each of them in their thoughts, the contrasts and just the way you brought this Norman Rockwell piece to life.
ReplyDeleteSweet. I have the same problem with math.
ReplyDeleteGreat reading into the image and what a blast from past D'Versers. GMan, aw.
ReplyDeleteRockwell had a knack of showing the best of what it is to be human. Love how your ekphrastic poem has characterized these two, Helen.
ReplyDeleteA clever and very mature write, also fresh and original in its construction. I enjoyed this a lot Helen - very effective way of making such a point, via contrasting observation. I will certainly remember how expertly you did this - Thank you
ReplyDeleteI can relate to this boy. Thank goodness for the calculator on my phone.
ReplyDeleteI like how you contrasted the experiences of each person in the artwork.
Such a great ekphrastic poem, Helen. You captured them both so very well!
ReplyDeleteLovely ekphrastic poem, Helen. I like how you conveyed the perspective of each of them. 💙
ReplyDeleteBoth perspectives captured perfectly. Nice poem, Helen.
ReplyDeleteThis is like a snapshot capturing two contrasting moments with such clarity. I can feel the tension and release between the boy's anxiety and the porter's calm confidence!
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
David
SkepticsKaddish.com
Channelling Norman Rockwell with a light touch Helen...
ReplyDeleteLuv your flip of the coin approach. We got both sides of the scene. Nice one.
ReplyDeleteMuch♡love
Love the contrast you created so skilfully, Helen!
ReplyDelete