Robert L. Hinshaw Poet Rhyme

Mom's Admonitions

Today, loafing on the porch I reminisced about yesteryears,
Recalling Mom's admonitions still ringing in my ears!
As a feckless youth I let them go in one ear and out the other,
Alas, paying little heed to my long-suffering Mother!

"Stop slamming the screen door!  You're letting the flies in!"
"I'll box your ears if you pull that silly stunt again!"
"Get that dog outta here!  Can't you see he's full of fleas!"
"No, I don't have money for that!  Money doesn't grow on trees!"

"The children in China are starving - now clean your plate!"
"If you know what's good for you, you'd better be home by eight!"
"Were you born in a barn?  Now please shut the door!"
"Wipe your feet! Can't you see I've just mopped the floor!"

"Bundle up good or you'll catch your death of cold!"
"Things would go better around here if you'd do what you're told!"
"You sass me again and I'll wash your mouth out with soap!"
"I don't know what's to become of you - for you I have little hope!"

"Quit jumping around! A cake's in the oven!  You'll make it fall!"
"Finish your chores, young man, then you can play some ball!"
Those admonitions have stuck with me through all these years!
(Come to think of it - some have pierced my kids' delicate ears!)

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

Placed No. 4 in Francine Robert's "My Parent" Contest - January 2011

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Ralph Taylor January 5, 2011 at 5:30 PM Congrats, Sarge. Nice going. Ralphie

Carol Sunshine Brown January 5, 2011 at 5:30 AM Congratulations on your win Bob in the "My Parent" contest by Francine Roberts. Love, Carol

Sara Kendrick January 4, 2011 at 2:54 PM Congratulations on your win..Sara

Eamon Duffin January 4, 2011 at 5:57 AM Hi . Congratulations on your result in the contest with this great piece. A thoroughly deserved success. We do grow up as we are brought up. there is a saying here in Ireland, 'Black cat, black kitten. Wave goodnight to a Colorado sunset for me. Good luck to you. Eamon

Dr.Ram Mehta January 4, 2011 at 5:10 AM Congratulations on this well deserved win in the contest of Francine, Bob

Nette Onclaud January 4, 2011 at 3:45 AM yeahey!! definitely well-deserved… big hurrah! :) nette

Walayee Poet Lay Whitlock-Ishway January 3, 2011 at 7:47 PM Congrats Robert!

Joyce Johnson January 3, 2011 at 6:09 PM Congratulations on your win in this contest with this great write. I thought it would be a winner. Love, joyce

Linda-Marie Sweetheart January 3, 2011 at 5:45 PM Congrats Bob on your success in My Parent contest with this awesome write and entry my friend.. enjoy another top ten victory tonight with luv..

Francine Roberts January 3, 2011 at 5:31 PM congrats Bob on your fourth place win in my contest, love this poem

Walayee Poet Lay Whitlock-Ishway January 2, 2011 at 7:46 PM Too cute Robert! Momma alway's knows best doesn't she. These admonitions cross time, oceans, gender, and cultural backgrounds. They must have been passed down from generation to generation with minor adjustments. EX: "Shut off the wii, electricity is not free" or maybe "change your tone, or there will be no internet, cable, or cellphone." These are the one's I use in my house... Love your write and good luck in the contest! Lay

Eamon Duffin January 1, 2011 at 9:56 AM Hi Robert. Strange that we are an ocean apart and our Mothers had the same things to say to us kids. Perhaps there was a world conflagration of mothers that we knew nothing about. Great write . hits at the heart of childhood. Love the last line. The gig last night was great. Bar was full to the brim, all singing along till 3am. Tired today but have one more day to recover. At the music for 47 years so the gigs get harder. Thanks again for your support. Eamon

Carolyn Devonshire December 30, 2010 at 8:21 AM What a delightful recollection of the things your mother said, Bob. I heard a few of the same sayings myself. Hilarious poem! Best wishes in the contest. Love, Carolyn

Joyce Johnson December 29, 2010 at 1:24 PM Hi Bob Very familiar quotations here Bob. My entry is "Hard work don't hurt nobody". About my dad. He too was born in Indiana, homesteaded in North Dakota and raised his family there. He knew no job too hard to handle on the farm. As the years go by and I view the world, my realization keeps growing that I had wonderful and brave parents. Good luck in the contest. Love, Joyce

Carol Sunshine Brown December 29, 2010 at 8:26 AM A few words to let you know I have read your poetry today and enjoyed it Bob. I hope to read many more of your poems in 2011. Wishing you a New Year filled with good health , love, and amazing inspiration. May your writing endeavors become all that you have wished for. HAPPY NEW YEAR. Love, Carol

Wilma Neels December 29, 2010 at 2:41 AM Yikes Bob, this brought back memories and had me smiling all the way through. Your mom brought up a fine gentleman indeed.. All the best for Francine's contest ;-)

Ralph Taylor December 28, 2010 at 5:11 PM Fond memories of Mom, Bob. Outstanding entry. Good luck. Ralph

Francine Roberts December 28, 2010 at 3:57 PM thank you for writing an entry for my contest Bob, as of this minute tho it is not showing as entered, please re-enter

Michael J. Falotico December 28, 2010 at 3:13 PM I agree with Dr. Ram... a good example and a good lesson learned... well written as always my friend,...Happy New Year to you and all around you... Michael

Dr.Ram Mehta December 28, 2010 at 2:56 PM I remembered my mother's admonitions reading. I think every mother should be like that so that we learn a good lesson to live happily, Bob, and good luck in the contest,