Dinner

"I'm hungry! What's for dinner?"
I hear the familiar cry.
"D'you want chicken, casserole or fish?"
I yell back ... with a sigh.

"I don't care! How long will it be?"
He answers with a moan.
"As long as it takes to cook it!"
I respond .... with a groan

I make the big decision.
Fish will take less time
A bit of flour and into the pan
And the evening will be mine.

"I hope that isn't fish I smell??
You know how much I hate it!"
"Bad luck! I scoff, "You'll eat it with us,!
Or your future will be 'fated'!"

By now the fish is getting tossed.
'Round the pan in exasperation!
The evil thoughts permeate my mind,
I dare not even mention!

"Get away from that fridge! What are you after?
Your dinner will be ready in a jiffy!"
"I just need something to keep me going!
Why d'you have to be so miffy??!"

"Have something now.. you know what'll happen!
Your dinner won't get eaten!"
"Yes it will, I promise it will.."
He thinks he has me beaten!

But while the banter ebbs and flows
On the table his dinner's placed
I triumphed again, and sat myself down
To offer the Lord a "grace".

"Thank you Lord for these provisions
Cooked with loving hands,
Thank You for our loving family
Who make so few demands.
Thank You for giving me the flair
To control constant agitation
These faces I now look upon..
Are You sure they're my relations?
Like it or not they'll scoff their meal
They will not whine or haggle.
Though with regret, I must admit
Some of "them ".... I'd like to strangle!

J.M. Furner

Created 21 May 2000