A Nervous Pair

In the Barley Tavern I do hear all sorts of stories,
based on many home conflicts, or musing on past glories,
but now and then a funny tale is uttered at the bar,
I’d never hear too often, and is a mite bizarre.

I’d heard that Dennis Flowers was in a situation,
where he was in a desperate need of an operation.
Of course he made it through, because he’s back here in the bar,
with beers lined up on the towel and showing us his scar.

For Dennis, this became, his fifteen minutes of pub fame
when spruiking his experience, of operational acclaim,
and once the crowd left and dispersed, Dennis whispered in me ear,
“Have you ever stood outside the pearly gates, trembling with fear?”

So all bravado Dennis spruiked was a nerve riddled front,
but he convinced his closest mates that a medal’s in the hunt.
I’m about to hear the sordid truth that Dennis tried to hide,
now that it’s only him and me, and the words he will confide.

“I was on the operating table; the anaesthetist beside me,
with Doctor Gordon smiling, and acting rather nervously.
I said “Doctor, it’s my first operation; look I’ve got the shakes.
He said ‘it’s mine too. Forgive me, if I make a few mistakes!”

Copyright © | Year Posted 2019



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Date: 12/2/2019 3:55:00 AM
Nice story. I am glad that they both survived. Kind wishes, Kai
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 12/2/2019 5:07:00 PM
G'day Kai ... I guess they were both glad that all went well. Doctors sometimes bury their mistakes - eke! Thanks Kai - Lindsay
Date: 8/6/2019 3:53:00 PM
Yikes! That's not what you want to hear!.........Good one Lindsay!....pat
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 8/7/2019 1:24:00 AM
Thank you Pat … especially if you're told doctors bury their mistakes - catch you soon PAT - Lindsay
Date: 7/31/2019 8:20:00 AM
Lindsay, this is so well-written and funny. I can imagine that hearing the doc say that would be rather unnerving! Janice
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 7/31/2019 11:28:00 PM
Hello Janice … crikey Janice, after hearing that, imagine the relief when waking up and knowing you're still alive - thanks Janice - Lindsay
Date: 7/27/2019 2:39:00 AM
I guess it would be too late for Dennis to change his mind about who was to do his op for him now! Punch line as always a gem! Well penned dear friend. Hugs, Jennifer.
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 7/31/2019 11:25:00 PM
Hello Jennifer … sometimes we're just happy, or should be, to get the job done if it helps to fix a problem. Thanks again for your support Jennifer - Lindsay
Date: 7/26/2019 4:19:00 PM
Great one Lindsay. You have an outstanding command of the English language and you know how to make it sparkle. I appreciate that, Good job Thank you. Panagiota
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 7/31/2019 11:21:00 PM
Hello Panagiota … comments like yours have me blushing and feeling humble. Gosh there's some great poets on this site - thank you Panagiota - Lindsay
Date: 7/24/2019 11:14:00 PM
Love it! well written and I learned a new word "spruiking" thank you for that!
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 7/31/2019 11:19:00 PM
It's a pleasure Timothy … spruikers were common at fairs and sideshow alleys trying to lure people into loosening the purse strings - thanks Mate - Lindsay
Date: 7/24/2019 7:38:00 PM
Ha, ha!! Just LOVE that ending. POIFECT, as they say in Brooklyn, NY. Bravo, Lindsay. ~ gw
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 7/31/2019 11:16:00 PM
Thank you Gershon … reminds me of a rodeo held in Birchip a few years ago. The organizer tried talking the school teacher into entering. The school teacher said he had no rodeo experience. The organizer replied 'neither has the horse; you can both learn together - Lindsay
Date: 7/24/2019 6:26:00 PM
Bet that left him in stitches! Aloha! Rico
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 7/31/2019 11:08:00 PM
Ha;ha;ha Rico … you've gone and left me in stitches Rico - thanks Rico - Lindsay
Date: 7/24/2019 8:22:00 AM
Ones lucky to be alive and the other lucky he hasn't been struck off, your punch lines are amazing Lindsay.
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Lindsay Laurie
Date: 7/31/2019 11:07:00 PM
G'day Tom … thanks Mate. Always nice to hear from you Tom - Lindsay
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