A Stick of Butter

Sometimes an image just sticks in your mind;
Try as you might you can’t leave it behind.
One I’ll relate didn’t happen to me
But hearing about it sufficed, as you’ll see.

A colleague of mine who had students in need
Sometimes paid a home visit to get up to speed,
For meeting the parents at home would provide
Information that they might be tempted to hide.

On one such occasion, who came to the door
Was the mother, whom he’d not encountered before.
She loomed there, obese, very much in command,
With a full stick of butter she clutched in her hand.

“Come in,” she insisted, and seemed quite at ease
Though what happened next near brought my friend to his knees.
It wasn’t the home’s disrepair, but the sight
Of that mom with her butter stick, taking a bite.

Whatever he thought of the mom and her kid
Doesn’t matter today, but I’ll never be rid
Of that image – the mother, the butter, the chew
And I’ll bet now that picture will stick with you, too.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Callus Avatar
March 23, 2018 at 11:53 AM
An entertaining narrative, Ilene. Poor lady, her bad cholesterol must be on such a high level! I hope the children don't take after her! Regards // paul
Green Avatar
March 22, 2018 at 6:48 PM
Love this Ilene and like I remember, your meter/cadence is perfect. This was funny right down to the last line which has the word "stick" in it.
Adams Avatar
March 22, 2018 at 5:53 PM
Thanks a lot! No wonder she was heavy! I came home one time and my girlfriend at the time was taking bites out of a raw yellow onion!! Tic Tac Honey??............pat
Allison Avatar
March 22, 2018 at 5:20 PM
what a vivid descriptive poem , oh gosh the very thought of eating butter makes me feel ill no wonder she was obese ... I wonder what was the state of the children's health:-) hugs jan xx
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace