Finger Gossip

The grandfather clock just struck twelve, that magic hour of night,
And there he sits drumming our fingers musing about something to write!
He's been biting our nails and running our fingers through his hair,
Scratching his head, searching for witty or apt verse to prepare!

Ah! Now he's flexing our digits and I detect in his eyes a gleam.
We think he's collecting his thoughts to concoct a masterful scheme.
Something comparable to works by Whitman or Riley, no doubt.
These fingers should get some credit, no matter how it turns out!

What will it be?  A poem about religion, politics or the billowing seas,
Little children, old soldiers, love gone sour or scarlet hued trees?
Perhaps a few stanzas about cowboy lore - only the Lord can tell!
Our fingers just fly over the keyboard - that old coot types pretty well!

We're getting numb and need rest but he provides no reprieve.
He's typing at least seventy-eight words per minute, I do believe!
But never fear, we'll manage to keep ahead of his versatile mind,
And keep pounding away as thoughts from his prolific skull unwind!

Well, he has completed what he considers a masterpiece at last.
We're petered out and ready to curl up - we have typed so fast!
But all of us from our thumbs to our pinkies have had a blast!
We pray he never gets writer's cramp - that would leave us aghast!

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
(© All Rights Reserved)

1st Place in Linda-Marie's "Finger Frenzy" Contest - June 2010
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Neels Avatar
June 14, 2010 at 6:39 AM
Congrats with this awesome poem Robert - rgds WN
Richards Avatar
June 12, 2010 at 6:53 AM
A perfect poem for the contest Robert....this was a shoo in to win!! Congratulations on this fine poem! ~ Love, Carrie
K. Avatar
June 12, 2010 at 6:38 AM
haha, oh wow 78 wpm?? good thing those fingers didn't get down to just being stubs ;) but everything was so worth it---super yay for you on getting first place with this great piece! --nikko :)
Green Avatar
June 11, 2010 at 10:51 PM
Ahhh- Darn good choice for 1st. This was really good.
Sweetheart Avatar
June 11, 2010 at 10:40 PM
Congrats Bob on your 1st place win with this wonderful poem exactly fitting the criteria for the contest... appreciate your support of my contest..with luv from the "Sweetheart"
Green Avatar
June 10, 2010 at 8:46 AM
Really cool poem, love the perspective.
Devonshire Avatar
June 8, 2010 at 10:26 AM
This was quite a challenge and I love the approach you took to it, Bob. Speaking from the fingers of the "old coot" is unique and creative. Best wishes for the contest, Carolyn
Cwiak Avatar
June 8, 2010 at 7:41 AM
Great write for the right write when write only knows right. I loved it! Dan C
Culverhouse Avatar
June 7, 2010 at 7:01 PM
cute p[oem!! enjoyed!
Taylor Avatar
June 7, 2010 at 4:39 PM
Great job, Chief. Good luck in the contest. Give our best to Vera. Have a good one, Ralph/Una.
Brown Avatar
June 7, 2010 at 4:01 PM
Enjoyed reading your poetry this afternoon Robert. The best to you in the contest. Thank you for sharing it with us. Love, Carol
Tideswell Avatar
June 7, 2010 at 2:31 PM
Hi Robert, I enjoyed your finger gossip. Good luck in the contest ~ Sharon :)
Kendrick Avatar
June 7, 2010 at 1:36 PM
Excellent write that should do well in that contest...Good luck...What those hands must have experienced as your fingers did the walking over the keyboard...Keep the creative pen flowing..Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my work...Sara
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