As I prepared for the publication of a book I am about to produce, my autobiography in poems, entitled: NICKY JONES - MY LIFE IN POEMS, I began to wonder what my family and friends would think of it. My thoughts moved to inspire a tongue-in-cheek poem that speaks from some of their possible viewpoints. Any feedback most gratefully received!! Here is:

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THE FAMILY GROANS


My mother sighs and shakes her head:
Nicky's telling all," she says.
"She's baring her soul,
intimate linen exposed,
dripping dirt as it dries lies,
flies gathering for the feast,
a dog's dinner of opinion."

My children stutter:
"K-k-keep talk about us under wraps.
Perhaps mention scraps in passing,
but please… no telling tall tales,
that's way too depressing,
too Trisha, too Jeremy Kyle.
We don't have the time
for emotional displays,
for weeping and wailing
about bygone days."

My sisters ask:
"Why write about the past
when there's living to do?
Why make us worry,
cast anxious lines
into water full of murk?
Set verse aside and
get back to the day job.
Put up and shut gob,
stop groaning and moaning,
forget this autobiography
in poems thing.

I try to explain:
"This is going to be good, you know,
praise, love understood, you know,
so quell all your fears,
take poetry on the chin,
dry those crocodile tears,
let's smile Cheshire grins,
and enjoy looking back on the years."


Nicky Jones 2009 ©