So, Karisma ran this competition over at her place, the prize being a cute little cross-stitch kit that I just adored. She told everyone that they had to write a poem about cross-stitching, and well…how could I resist? Cross-stitching and poetry? That had my name ALL over it!
But I couldn’t think of anything truly lovely or poetic. All that kept happening was the phrase “there once was a man from Nantucket” would run through my head. Which irked me. Because let’s face it. No man (from Nantucket or anywhere) would ever admit to being a cross stitcher. Except that one guy I knew in college…he stitched. And in public too. But he had issues. And a really great French knot technique. (True story.)
So, in the end, with the extended deadline looming, I desperately went ahead and wrote an actual limerick. My poet-friends in Colorado would at this point be pretending not to know me. But screw them. They don’t have little kids. Some of them don’t have kids at all. Most of them have grandkids. And none of them homeschool. They have no idea how hard it is to write poetry amidst the drifted litter of empty cheese stick wrappers and those little bits of toilet paper that my 4-year-old leaves all over the place when I’ve just put on a new double-roll and she can’t get a good grip on it.
So, I wrote a nice little limerick. Complete with curse word. And I won! So, here…for your reading pleasure is my award-winning poem.
A Cross Stitch Poem for Karisma:
by RegularMom
There once was a gal who did cross stitch
Who found herself plagued with an itch
That bothered her nose…
But that’s how it goes,
When you stitch sometimes life is a bitch.
Many thanks to Karisma for running the contest. And for the fun. And for picking me. And for coming here and reading my stuff. It’s good to know people get me.
I’m looking forward to seeing my new sampler in the mail. Sometime in the next two decades, I might actually find some time to sit down and stitch that thing. 
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PS: I know I’ve been tagged for a couple of memes, and I promise I’ll get to them as soon as I can. Sorry for the delay, but things are crazy around here as usual. Also, I’ve drastically reduced my caffeine intake which is screwing up my blogging time. (I used to stay up super-late blogging because I couldn’t sleep. Now I collapse in the hall sometimes before I make it to the laptop.) But I am finally getting a bit more sleep. So that’s good.
Memes are coming soon.
Congrats - fun poem!
Hey! I totally “get” you, thats why you won!
Anything that gives me a laugh is a sure winner.
“there once was a man from Nantucket” sounds like something my mother would come up with! Or there is always “the man stood on the burning deck” one as well.
Let’s face it, we could all be serious and write amazing poetry, but who really remembers that stuff?
I like the poem! I’m glad you won. It’s okay for the memes. I know that life is nothing but a race anymore. One thing I think is funny thou. I seem to blogging more and everybody less, but I guess it’s them steroids the Dr. has me on to help me get over this infection I have had for a month. But life is funny that way.
Congratulations!, Girl you deserve it!
Katie, that’s so funny. My first thought was: THIS IS YOUR BLOG. And then: THIS IS YOUR BLOG ON STEROIDS. (snicker snicker giggle giggle.) Hope you feel better soon, dear.
Very cute. And I know a man who has done cross stitch - my brother used to do it. My mom taught us both, and he was not embarrassed. But he was homeschooled - we’re all weird.
You have reduced caffeine? I quit this week. I swear, we are on some kind of vulcan mind meld or something. Did you get the big headache? No? I did. However, I am so much calmer and so much nicer now. However, I may never write again. Can it be true that all those words were from caffeine? Hum.
Wow. That’s so weird. We are always doing that. There must be something to that mind-meld stuff.
I didn’t get the headache because I still have coffee in the morning. I just cut off the afternoon caffeine. Seems to be working out okay so far.
As for writing, I felt the same way about writing and nicotine. It comes back. Try not to worry. Just keep on writing when you can, and when you can’t, do something else nice for yourself. That’s what I did. And it comes back.
Hugs to you during your caffeine withdrawal. And with everything else you’ve got going on right now. I am thinking of you, always.
Hey, thanks Regularmom! Love, Katherine