So Much For Good Luck

An old southern tradition said to bring good luck throughout the year,
Is to eat black-eyed peas on New Years Day, a custom they hold so dear.
This Yankee boy had never heard of such 'til I wed my Confederate spouse!
Now, sixty years later we still observe that strange practice at our house!

Be that as it may, I'm not all that convinced that it really holds true,
And I'll relate for you a few curious events to prove my point of view!
In January of last year it froze so hard that my water line burst!
Mind you, the year had hardly begun - that was on January the first!

In March it snowed so hard that the blossoms froze on my apple tree!
There'd be no luscious fruit to chomp on for the squirrels, birds or me!
On the fifteenth of April I faithfully submitted my tax forms as required.
I received a notice in July that my presence for an IRS audit was desired!

In August the neighbor kid hit a home run that shattered my windowpane!
My 'in good hands' insurance wouldn't cover the cost, much to my disdain!
In October the airline lost all of our luggage, which is no great surprise!
(Hence, we'll ride AMTRAK when we travel in lieu of the friendly skies!)

I reckon my run of tough luck is just one of the rummy vicissitudes of life,
But oft' I muse, "Lord, is it only to me that such things happen so rife?"
(This was written with considerable tongue in cheek and to have a little fun.
I'll keep on eatin' black-eyed peas to better my luck, when all is said and done!)

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

Copyright © | Year Posted 2012



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Date: 1/12/2012 5:49:00 PM
Bob, So glad that you can use my poems in your daily devotions. That is one of the uses of my books, as bible verses accompany most of the poems. Give me one more week and then my website should be operative. I'm sure you will also love my photography. Praise God, He's given me so many gifts, it gets hard to know which to choose from. I praise His Mighty Name! God bless you, Maureen :)
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Date: 1/9/2012 4:15:00 PM
lol heheheheehe wow the ending made me laugh thanks :U
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Date: 1/7/2012 9:18:00 PM
AH! Robert, your situation is mine, albeit a bit reversed. You see I am the 'Confederate' boy with the 'Yankee' spouse and she was bemused by the tradition as well. My parents are hellbound to follow it though. I say to Hell with tradition, I never bought into it either and I'm sure not stuffing my face with anymore of those awful peas. Something to be said for tradition, but I favor the ones that taste good!!! :)
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Date: 1/7/2012 6:59:00 AM
Well my freind that is a tradition is a new one to my ears... Hope this brings ELi and Tebow some luck for the Playofffs... Wow this season went fast....a month away till catchers and pitchers report... Im flying down to Tampa in Feb. for my godfathers 80th birthday and taking him to sprin training practice... my how time goes by for me in sports time..lol... Happy New Year my Friend and to all around you... Michael
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Date: 1/6/2012 8:38:00 PM
Maybe try listening to the band Black Eyed peas while eating back-eyed peas in the furture.....enjoyed your write and humor....take care, Cecilia
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Date: 1/6/2012 8:37:00 PM
If this is for Russell's contest, it looks like one he will like. Good one, Bob.
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Date: 1/6/2012 7:30:00 PM
don't counst on luck.....it plucks you when its hungry and bucks you every chance it has...
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Date: 1/6/2012 7:02:00 PM
Sounds to me like you also have a lot of good luck in your life, and your 'bad luck' doesn't sound all that bad. So, I'd keep eaten 'em. They're probably working just fine.
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Date: 1/6/2012 5:01:00 PM
lol ...no Bob, you're not the only one! Yes, I'd just eat that black-eyed peas, anyway. : ) That won't hurt! Enjoyed as always. Have a good weekend and thanks for visiting. Love, annalise
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Date: 1/6/2012 4:38:00 PM
You never know Bob, you could have had an even worse year last year but your good luck from the Black Eyed Peas kept you from having more bad luck than you had! You never know?! Anyway, great, clever write! I really enjoyed it tonight! Awesome Work!
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Date: 1/6/2012 4:21:00 PM
Ha,ha,ha very nice!
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Date: 1/6/2012 3:34:00 PM
Enjoyed it to Robert. - :) oxox hugs Anne-Lise
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Date: 1/6/2012 3:29:00 PM
Enjoyed your poem, Robert. It does seem like the black-eyed peas didn't help at all, doesn't it? Love, Kim
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