It was then when I first saw
your doubt… he was lurking
just around the corner from
the garage. True, in some way
I, too, brought a doubt along.
How could you doubt, I thought;
but then there he was, dressed
in coldly dubious business casual.
Why stand on formalities
when belief is strained –
like a can of beans?
They didn’t take long to become
acquainted, your doubt and mine.
They shared the time of day,
the weather, and eventually
pictures of the wives and pets
as they rummaged through
the ice box, helping themselves
to your beer. They took over
the couch and love seat, spilling
ripple chips across the cushions.
Soon they were immersed in some
show they both binged on, using
your Netflix account. They got
to be absolute nuisances, those
two.
We worked together – the first
time in a long time. We mustered
all the faith we could. Eventually
they were out of your house, out
of our hair.
It took us all day to remove all doubt.
This is a complete package post, Charley. That image is perfect for what you have written. Love the personification of your doubt / my doubt – they are rascals, indeed. Really enjoy “when belief is strained –
like a can of beans?” Excellent writing!
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Thanks, Jill! A lot of fun to write. I really ran with this prompt… just not certain I ran in the right direction. I’m glad it worked for you!
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Did indeed!
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Don’t doubt bout the direction you took. You won, conquered, a total rout! This is great Charley
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Thank you!
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I really love how you describe doubt as a homeinvasion… what a chilling experience to have such visitors (even more in a slick attire).. the detail of them using your Netflix account is excellent.
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Thank you, Björn. I don’t know why, but these two just popped to life, much like Things 1 & 2 in Cat in the Hat. The Netflix was the only thing I could think of that deserves being abused.
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Nice way to dress doubt: “coldly dubious business casual”
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It seemed appropriate attire, Frank! Glad you came by to read.
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As delightful a doubt (or should I say doubts?) as I’ve ever encountered, Charley. Your personification was brilliant, right down to them binging on her Netflix account.
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Faith casts out doubt in the end, that bad roommate. This is a redemptive poem built on the unlikely bones of ripple chips and business casual. It works beautifully for me!
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Beware of creatures dressed in business casual! 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it. Ripple chips, on the other hand, are benign… no matter what healthy living advocates say.
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This is excellent.
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Thank you!
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Love it! Humorous and oh so true.
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I just write them as I see them. 🙂 Thank you!
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That’s great. Your poem tells a story that others would write novels about. I love the image of the two doubts sitting on the couch watching Netflix. I’m glad you got them to move on by the end of the day.
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I love your description of doubt and doubt. This reminded me of the TV commercial about stomach bloating where the thing crawls in bed along side of her till she takes her medicine. Good job Charley.
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The personification of doubt is so well done, Charley!
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Such a good image! That expression will forever have a new meaning for me, and a face.
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I love how you’ve taken the saying as a springboard and then told a whole story based on the personification of doubt, Charley, and, like a Hitchcock film, it has a sinister tone! Brilliant lines:
‘Why stand on formalities
when belief is strained –
like a can of beans?’
and
‘They shared the time of day,
the weather, and eventually
pictures of the wives and pets
as they rummaged through
the ice box, helping themselves
to your beer’.
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Really ” doubt” can break us , but in the end if it can be resolved, then let us all be happy.
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Yes, let’s! 🙂
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A marriage of doubters – vividly brought to life with their daily rituals and the effort of finally becoming Mr and Mrs Doubt-Less
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Mrs. Doubt-fired? 🙂 Thank you for reading!
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So much fun Charley! vivid. Doubt your doubts, especially when it is rousting out trust between loved ones.
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Yep! Send it packing! Thank you for reading.
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I LOVE this personification of doubt, times two! And the excellent details that make it seem so real, so present. Wonderfully done!
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Thank you! It was a blast to write.
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Wonderful work. One of my favorite movies too.
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Thank you! Anything by A. H. is worth the time to watch (my opinion). Glad you enjoyed it!
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Great poem, great film!
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Thank you! For me and on behalf of A. H. !
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This is one of my favorites of yours. I especially like these lines: “when belief is strained – / like a can of beans?” Great choices of topic for a poem on unseen things.
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Thank you! Sorry I’ve taken so long to respond. This was fun to write.
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