Grandma, 
who bore seven children,
rambunctious and noisy,
marveled
over my great aunt,
who raised six children,
so well-behaved
that following a meal
she would direct them
once
in a very soft voice…
they would immediately
clear the table
and
wash the dishes.
A quadrille (poem of exactly 44 words) for dVerse Poets Pub with De.
a poem in my pocket 
Aug 13, 2019 @ 15:39:13
I have a soft spot for the rambunctious family!
Aug 13, 2019 @ 17:33:05
Me too 🙂
Aug 13, 2019 @ 14:24:10
Such power in something so small. Lovely!
Aug 13, 2019 @ 17:32:54
Impressive, yes…thanks for commenting!
Aug 13, 2019 @ 13:29:31
I wonder how that worked… maybe there where an undercurrent of threat in the softness of that voice… makes me think of the booktitle “the soft voice of the serpent”
Aug 13, 2019 @ 17:32:04
hmmm…sounds sinister!
Aug 13, 2019 @ 13:05:11
I’ve always lived in the chaotic, and would be worried what was wrong if it was not. (K)
Aug 13, 2019 @ 08:08:39
I’m with Rob on this one, Lynn. I can’t believe real flesh and blood children are ever so biddable unless they fear the consequences. Maybe I just didn’t try hard enough but mine never did/do anything unless I threw/throw a tantrum.
Aug 13, 2019 @ 02:23:44
I have known teachers just like that, Lynn. It’s not the voice but the authority that is projected!
Aug 13, 2019 @ 06:39:11
Yes…I also think of Jesus calling disciples to “Follow me!”
Aug 12, 2019 @ 21:38:06
What’s that saying, “Walk softly, but carry a big stick.” I wonder if it could apply to talking as well? Cool poem. It was always noisy at my house, chaos even!
Aug 12, 2019 @ 22:02:34
The stick may have been threatened at some point! Thanks for commenting 🙂
Aug 12, 2019 @ 22:05:12
You’re welcome.
Aug 12, 2019 @ 19:38:34
That is a model mom and children. I admire parents who dedicate their time and love to raising lots of children.
Aug 12, 2019 @ 19:40:03
Me too…not easy to do well but truly blessed.
Aug 12, 2019 @ 18:39:35
Those weren’t children Lynn, those were angels, or maybe voice-activated androids… 🙂
Aug 12, 2019 @ 19:13:55
I have wondered about that…
Aug 12, 2019 @ 18:19:49
Wow. I’m impressed with BOTH of them, and your poem! 🙂 (I only have two, and I do NOT have these children.) 😉
Aug 12, 2019 @ 18:26:33
Yes, I raised five…and remember raising my voice more than once! Thanks for the prompt, De.