You Ain'T Got No Class

Ma decreed they needed some culture to enhance their sedentary existence.
Pa wasn't all that enthusiastic and offered some very stiff resistance!
Especially when Ma steered him to the city modern art museum.
He would just as soon visit the parish graveyard mausoleum!

Pa was reared a country boy and for cultural matters had very little zest,
But on this occasion he pampered Ma - he knew better than to protest!
Pa's appreciation for art was confined to barns with a Mail Pouch Tobacco ad,
Or gazing at a painting in the local saloon of some woman scantily clad!

His ear for music was satisfied by the honky-tonk gal at the local bar.
He was a poetry aficionado, reading Burma Shave rhymes from his car!
Ma once told him to wear a suit and escort her to her literary club,
But he preferred beer and banter with his pals at the local pub!

He could appreciate Saturday Evening Post covers by Norman Rockwell,
And Grandma Moses' nostalgic and simple scenes he recalled so well,
But the ghastly art he viewed in the modern art museum that day,
Seemed to him to have been crafted by chimpanzees from Mandalay!

The visit to the museum left Ma and Pa extremely cross.
Her attempts to refine him, she admitted, were a total loss.
She beseeched, "At least I wish you'd drink your beer from a glass!
I give up! I do declare Pa! You just ain't got no class!"

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Wesley Avatar
April 20, 2012 at 9:40 AM
Pa is a treasure and appreciates the real thing; love the chimpanzee part as it describes modern art perfectly. Great wit as usual in your rhyme!
Breidenthal Avatar
April 19, 2012 at 12:51 PM
HAha! This is just great! It's always a pleasure reading your work. Keep up the excellent work! :)
Horne Avatar
April 18, 2012 at 1:04 PM
lol, i always know i'll get a chuckle when i read your poetry, bob. i agree with pa on modern art - i aint got no class either, lol
Mac Donald Avatar
April 18, 2012 at 7:46 AM
I have a question, Robert, are you the zzzzz zz poet who signs comments off as Robert? He has the mark of Zorro!:)) Love, Mikki
Mac Donald Avatar
April 18, 2012 at 7:42 AM
Hi Robert!!:) I wished to extend a smile from yesterday, this one nicely does the trick!:)) This is so fun and witty, Pa might find it a tad disconcerting, but Ma would wrap you up, in a bear hug! Actually, he would love it as much a she!:) Love the images that unreel here, gives it the feel of a 'picture show', and not just a still life scene. Best wishes, Love, Mikki
Kendrick Avatar
April 18, 2012 at 7:24 AM
Well that last line could have gone the country road in wording also.....Enjoyed reading this morn and the mention of Burma Shave of which you had enlightened me...I now remember from childhood there was one sign in our county that I know of..I will have to tell you about it sometimes..Sara
Kendrick Avatar
April 18, 2012 at 7:25 AM
Thanks for the kind review of my work..No I did not place in Brian's contest for there were so many great ones for him to choose from..Sara
Dey Avatar
April 18, 2012 at 2:46 AM
Lovely dear poet. Very nice.
Novotny Avatar
April 18, 2012 at 12:08 AM
A lesson from life set to verse and nicely penned. Thanks for your kind words also Bob. - Chuck
Johnson Avatar
April 17, 2012 at 11:39 PM
I have to agree about the modern art. Great story Bob. Love, Joyce
Burch Avatar
April 17, 2012 at 10:22 PM
LOL!! "ain't got no class!"...lol too funny Bob...another good one! first the opera, now the literary club...lol..poor Pa...Well Done...I love it...big hugs, love deb
A   Avatar
April 17, 2012 at 10:22 PM
Bob, A wonderful poem... very out spoken .... truly enjoyed your poem..always..pd
Carrillo Avatar
April 17, 2012 at 9:12 PM
Hi Robert; this is really good. I enjoyed it very much. I needed a laugh today. I once wrote a poem by the name- A touch of Class. I might post it one of these days. Thanks for sharing this one. Lucilla
The Drunken Poet Avatar
April 17, 2012 at 8:51 PM
very articulate .well done..
Pettit Avatar
April 17, 2012 at 7:57 PM
Very entertaining write, Bob. Good going.
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