Enthusiastic Amateur

ENTHUSIASTIC AMATEUR I am lying here trapped and need some assistance, And all because of my husband’s persistence. “You don’t have to buy any bookshelves,” he said. “I’ll purchase some timber and build them instead.” I had some misgivings but he was so keen That I thought to refuse him would seem rather mean. He took his tape measure and measured the wall And said it would take him no time at all He fitted the roof rack onto the car And drove to the woodyard, which wasn’t too far. When he returned he had planks bright and new And a big box containing wood screws and glue. I helped him unload it and brought it in doors, Then he went to the garage for hammers and saws. An electric drill and connecting cable And he spread them all out on the dining room table I heard sawing and drilling and snatches of song Interspersed with some curses, four letters long. I wasn’t convinced that he knew how to do it, But I made myself scarce and just left him to it Seven hours later he emerged with a grin And, taking my hand, he invited me in. I looked in amazement at what he had built. All perfectly level, no sign of a tilt. I started to stack my books, one-by-one, Still hardly believing how well he had done. After book twenty-four, came an ominous sound And I suddenly found myself pinned to the floor Although the bookshelves were seven feet tall, He’d forgotten to screw the things back to the wall. So I’m lying here trapped and in need of assistance. And all because of my husband’s persistence 18th June 2020 Write a poem about Enthusiasm contest Sponsor - Caren Krutsinger