On the Threshold of Frustration: A True Story Told in Verse

Eight at night and the doorbell rang,

And THERE right before my face

Was a newspaper—almost touching my nose

And barely giving me breathing space.

“Here’s your free paper,” I heard a voice say.

I stepped back to read the name of the rag.

At once in my mind I realized that

The name of the paper had raised a red flag.

“Sorry, but I don’t read that one.

Anyway, thank you for your time,”

I said to the kid as I started to close

The door, but the kid blurted out, “I’m

Hoping that you’ll subscribe to my paper.

Sign up right here; you won’t regret it.”

I shook my head in amazement and said,

“Do you know what? I don’t get it:

“I just told you that I don’t read it,

So why would I want to buy a subscription?”

The frustrated kid refused to take NO

For an answer and started to have a conniption.

“BUT...just do it for me!” he cried.

“The more I sell, the better my luck

In winning a trip to Hawaii; what’s more,

I’m also trying to earn a buck.”

At THIS point I was the frustrated one.

I thought to myself, This guy’s too much!

He’s completely clueless; moreover, he’s acting

Like a son of a such and such!

“Good luck with your sales,” I politely said.

“But wait, I’ll wash your car!” he cried.

“I’ll mow your grass; I’ll trim your trees.”

“NO thanks, AND good-by,” I replied.

Exasperated he bellowed out,

“I need this sale to up my score!”

I calmly said, “This conversation

Is over,” as I closed the door.

I didn’t hear him walk away;

For all I know he could be there still

Pushing his paper, trying to earn

More points but actually scoring nil.

While the kid lacked tact and subtlety,

I doubt he’d ever take my advice.

A bit more sense would serve him well,

And a little less pushiness would suffice.

A future politician? I wondered.

Or maybe a future billionaire?

Whatever the case, he's got chutzpah,

I thought as I returned to my chair.

(7-29-14) By Bob B