The day Dad tries to
burn our house down
with us in it, my excited
brother is yelling, “Fire!”
as I run downstairs into
cloud of smoke billowing
from open oven door
where Dad’s cream puffs
combust, ashes to ashes,
because he doubled butter.
______________
Lisa hosts “puff” quadrilles (44 words) at dVerse poets pub…
a poem in my pocket 
Jul 16, 2026 @ 10:10:46
OMG, Lyn .. this is so funny! My mother was an expert in the art of making creme puffs .. many afternoons after school my sisters and I would find them waiting for us! I know, I know .. lucky us. Thanks so much for leaving me a comment.
Jul 16, 2026 @ 00:09:49
A comedien said “men will cook if danger is involved”, but I wouldn’t have thought that included cream puffs!
Jul 16, 2026 @ 09:32:09
Ha, ha! I don’t think Dad anticipated the potential danger 😉
Jul 15, 2026 @ 18:05:39
A memory not soon forgotten I bet. I’m glad your mom was on her toes.
Jul 15, 2026 @ 20:09:46
Mom usually kept a cool head; Dad was the exciting parent 😀
Jul 15, 2026 @ 20:29:18
Sounds like a good team.
Jul 15, 2026 @ 15:24:06
Oh no … he didn’t. Poor dad 😢
Jul 15, 2026 @ 20:08:32
My brother and I probably remember it a bit more dramatically than it actually was… seemed like a lot of smoke!
Jul 15, 2026 @ 11:58:36
Oh no! I’m glad no one was hurt!
Jul 15, 2026 @ 13:22:16
Thanks, Merril, me too!
Jul 15, 2026 @ 16:38:06
You’re welcome! 😊
Jul 15, 2026 @ 10:54:02
Ommigosh!
Jul 15, 2026 @ 13:21:36
I know, right?!! Dad thought he knew the recipe from memory…
Jul 15, 2026 @ 09:50:44
Oh no!
Jul 15, 2026 @ 09:57:07
It was a dramatic moment but my mother put the fire out with extinguisher, turned on fans, and opened both front and back doors to let out the smoke. Dad had left them to bake while he ran to corner grocery store (?!) We’ve all laughed about it later 😀