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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


WHEN MOTHER STARTS THE APPLE SASS by DOUGLAS MALLOCH

First Line: SOME FELLAH SAYS THAT THOUGHTS ARE THINGS
Last Line: WHEN MOTHER STARTS THE APPLE SASS.
Subject(s): COOKING & COOKS; FOOD & EATING; MOTHERS;

Some fellah says that thoughts are things
And fly around like bats on wings,
And, if we only knew the way,
That not a word we'd have to say
But just to think it so intent
That someone else knew what we meant;
And I agree, because I know
That Mother often works it so.

I've noticed it especially
When we are havin' company:
It's wonderful the way that Ma
Can set on me and signal Pa
And really never say a word
That anybody ever heard,
Yet lets us know there isn't much
Of this or that or such and such.

Pa never thinks. He yells, "Come on
And have some more!" when things are gone;
Or me, I start to pass my plate
Again, for Mother's grub is great.
But, if we're short, Ma doesn't say,
"We haven't very much today" --
She acts as if she didn't hear
And says, "Some apple sass, my dear?"

Or, if it's him that makes a break,
She says to Father, "Pass the cake";
And no one notices at all
The cake is large, the chicken small.
They call it all "telepathy";
I know it works with Pa and me;
For more your plate you needn't pass
When Mother starts the apple sass.



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