In the Soup

IN THE SOUP

My late aunt was always getting herself in the soup,
Wanted to share this with my poetry group,
Good clients of ours we invited home for a Greek meal
But my aunt made a mistake she couldn’t conceal,
Angelina’s boyfriend was nineteen years younger,
Handsome son said my aunt, what a lucky mother.
And before I had time to give her a kick under the table
She continued to speak nonsense, when are you due,
I whispered to my mom, your sister sounds unstable,
Yes Angelina said, I’ve put on a lot of weight of late,
I can see said my aunt , but when is your due date!
My mom walked out, she was fuming, so did my dad,
I was left holding the baby, excuse the pun,
This dinner party was getting out of control, not fun
So I said to my aunt your temperature from your flu
Has made you delirious, come lie down, but we
We were not yet out of the soup, came back in an hour,
Sat down and carried on, Jenny has told me 
You have our invitations for the wedding in your
Bag and the last straw was this “my commiserations”
To the boyfriend instead of my congratulations!
Fortunately my dad was filling up Angelinas glass
And the boyfriend’s with wine,
They were quite pickled when they left, 
Did no recall a thing that was said,so all was fine.
Needless to say my aunt was never again invited
When guests were around, otherwise
The next time, with pleasure would have crowned
Her myself and she would also be grounded!
After my aunt and uncle had left, we laughed hysterically
Because all was in fact said naively, not hypocritically!
English was not her mother tongue, recently
Came from Greece, 
And wanted to make conversation and please,
Nothing was said intentionally.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Mcconnell Avatar
April 27, 2020 at 3:18 PM
A lovely tale well told Jenny, Really good one!
Proxenos Avatar
May 6, 2020 at 11:11 AM
Thank-you Gordon, like the new pic.! Thank you for a great comment, Blessings my dear friend, Jennifer.
Neumann Avatar
April 26, 2020 at 5:57 AM
Sometimes honesty does not help the party. Nice story. Kind wishes, Kai
Proxenos Avatar
May 6, 2020 at 11:08 AM
Although she was my Aunt, I had a few arguments with her about putting her foot in it, which on a couple of times happened in the company of my friends. I did love her and just thought that she deserved a poem! Blessings Kai, Jennifer.
Kitchin Avatar
April 26, 2020 at 4:51 AM
An entertaining story, enjoyed!
Proxenos Avatar
May 6, 2020 at 11:05 AM
Thank-you Tania, glad you enjoyed it and happy to have you visit. Blessings, Jennifer.
Deo Avatar
April 25, 2020 at 10:02 AM
Loved it, Jennifer. I like the last lines that give the context of Aunt being from the Old Country where they speak more frankly ... you covered a lot and on wonderful rhythm (Didn't skip a beat or cook your goose). shalom, shalom (& IRENEH)
Proxenos Avatar
May 6, 2020 at 11:03 AM
They do and the Greek language can be loud - not my immediate family but my Aunt was known for it, however she always made everyone laugh (most of the time, not all of the time!) Blessings my friend, Jennifer.
Ball Avatar
April 24, 2020 at 4:09 PM
This really made me chuckle. I can understand how that could have been quite the dinner. Well once he has been family for awhile he will understand. You know the old saying, "Shake a family tree and a few nuts fall out." Great stuff and something for the memories. God Bless, JB
Proxenos Avatar
May 6, 2020 at 10:58 AM
Hi Judy I have heard this saying, but not for years, I like it and will use it in future where relevant Thank you Judy fora lovely comment, take care and be safe! Blessings, Jennifer.
Nicole Avatar
April 21, 2020 at 8:40 PM
Oh my!! Sometimes it is best to just sit there and smile, while enjoying each others company. :) Your thoughts made me giggle. Thank you for sharing this cute story with all of us. :) Hugs, Brandy
Proxenos Avatar
April 24, 2020 at 11:27 AM
Thanks Brandy for a lovely comment - it was not so cute as the story took place at the dinning room table, but afterwards we had a laugh. Keep safe and take care my friend. Blessings Jenifer.
Allison Avatar
April 21, 2020 at 1:17 PM
oh dear how embarrassing a tale but I don't think you are alone in someone making a faux pas like this especially with language differences, thanks for the smile:-) hugs Jan xx
Proxenos Avatar
April 21, 2020 at 1:31 PM
Hi Jan, thank you for a lovely comment, Lost in Translation was a film based on a book, this was my Aunt's predicament! Glad I gave you a smile, Blessings, Jennifer.
Raven Avatar
April 19, 2020 at 4:48 AM
Hi Jennifer, quite a pickle, if sobriety had been the name of the game then the title would be more than apt. I don't have any relatives like this but I have to watch myself sometimes. The mouth seems to work faster than the brain sometimes. I love the content of this one. Have a wonderful Sunday. Hugs....Mike. XX
Proxenos Avatar
April 20, 2020 at 7:04 AM
Hope you had a great weekend. It was our Greek Orthodox Easter this last weekend. You always give the most amazing comments, can't think that you could ever say a wrong thing. Keep well and safe, enjoyed you comment immensely Mike. Blessings, Jennifer.
Roper Avatar
April 18, 2020 at 10:21 AM
I use to have a lot of one of those days, not an aunt, but a mother in-law. I was always embarrassed and upset at her, but she never cared. This is so funny, Jennifer. I think we all have one that stirs up the “Soup.” Enjoyed reading my friend, stay safe and prayers your way. Hugs Eve
Proxenos Avatar
April 20, 2020 at 6:59 AM
Oh I know how mother in laws say wrong things, but its normally meant to upset us. Sister in laws as well! Glad you found my poem funny Evey. I have decided that poetry soup is like my extended family - love you my friend, stay safe and well, Jennifer
Messina Avatar
April 18, 2020 at 10:19 AM
Awesome story and poem, Jennifer. Like Tom said, "I think everyone has an aunt like yours in their family. Stay well and safe my dear friend. Charlie
Proxenos Avatar
April 20, 2020 at 6:54 AM
I thought she was one of a kind but glad I have company! Thank-you for a terrific comment, hope that you keep safe Charlie my special friend. Blessings, Jennifer.
Sergi Avatar
April 18, 2020 at 8:30 AM
cha cha, poly asteio, Tzenifer!
Proxenos Avatar
April 18, 2020 at 8:45 AM
Efharisto para poly - eftihismene pou sou arrese Ralph Tzenifer!
Laurie Avatar
April 17, 2020 at 6:22 PM
Hello Jennifer … between two languages there is often called one; foot in mouth. Interpretation can be either funny or embarrassing. Believe me, I know. Thanks for the giggle Jennifer - Lindsay
Proxenos Avatar
April 20, 2020 at 6:51 AM
I suppose we are all guilty of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, and there is no back tracking, one can never take back what they have already said - glad the poem made you giggle Lindsay, Blessings, Jennifer
Kiser Avatar
April 17, 2020 at 3:16 PM
Talk about something in the translation; the poor woman. Ah well, thank goodness for the alcohol.
Proxenos Avatar
April 20, 2020 at 6:45 AM
The alcohol saved the day otherwise we would have lost a very good client - just shows us that pleasure and business was not a good choice! Hope you are well my dear friend, Blessings, Jennifer
De Beaulieu Avatar
April 17, 2020 at 12:42 PM
Hello Jenniifer , this such an interesting story form in a poem. i have enjoyed it. Have a nice day my friend. Be safe. hugs Darlene xx
De Beaulieu Avatar
April 20, 2020 at 1:00 PM
Hello Jennifer,You did a great job to write about her. I enjoyed this poem. Stay safe. Enjoy your day my friend. Hugs Darlene
Proxenos Avatar
April 20, 2020 at 6:40 AM
My Aunt was an interesting person, so had to write about her Darlene, but after reading all my comments I see that every family have a similar relation!, Stay well my dear friend and take care. Blessings, Jennifer
Theraven Avatar
April 17, 2020 at 9:37 AM
Jennifer, Your poem's tale and Aunt are worthy of a reality TV show. Absolutely enjoyed this 'Soup' with a smile you couldn't pry off with a crowbar. -Richard
Proxenos Avatar
April 17, 2020 at 11:30 AM
Hi Richard, thank you for a lovely comment, I could write a book about may Aunt, but she was very lovable. Glad I gave you a smile! Blessings, Jennifer.
Cunningham Avatar
April 16, 2020 at 12:07 PM
Haha, oh those cringworthy moments, I think every family has someone like your aunt, half the time they don't realise it. Stay safe. Tom
Proxenos Avatar
April 17, 2020 at 11:27 AM
You want to kick them hard sometimes, but honestly she was always in trouble with family and friends - eventually we just used to tell whoever was present, oh don't mind Maria, she means well. Thanks Tom, Blessings, Jennifer
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