Saturday, September 11, 2010

Ode to a Misplaced Cup of Coffee

My younger sister continues to insist that my memory is not quite as good as I think it is, even to the extent of sending me a very cute, handmade birthday "report card" with the heartless indication that I was falling short in the memory department.  She's about put me off the idea of recounting any events that occurred during our youth -- at least when she was present.  I shall henceforth have to be very selective in my reporting.

However, to be fair, she may have a point.  While I steadfastly deny that my long-term memory is faulty, I have noticed (quite a bit, actually) that my short term memory is playing me false.  To demonstrate the latter, I offer you the following which I composed this morning (may be read with the melody of “Tannebaum” running through your mind. If you’ve forgotten the tune, may I direct you to: Tannebaum )


ODE TO A MISPLACED CUP OF COFFEE

Oh, Coffee Mug, Oh, Coffee Mug,
Where have I put you this time?
I set you down and walk away,
Another thought has come my way.
Oh, Coffee Mug, Oh, Coffee Mug,
Where have I put you this time?

My favorite mug, not hard to see
Where have I put you this time?
I leave you and the brew gets cold.
It’s clear to me I’m getting old.
Oh, Coffee Mug, Oh, Coffee Mug,
Where have I put you this time?

Cup of delight, so gently brewed,
Where have I put you this time?
Sometimes you’re in the microwave,
Your gift of warmth I sought to save,
But you’re not there, Oh, where, Oh, where,
Where have I put you this time?

Not on the desk nor counter top,
Where have I put you this time?
The bedside chest is a choice spot
But are you there? Oh, no, you're not.
Oh, Coffee Mug, Oh, Coffee Mug,
Where have I put you this time?

I could go on, but enough is enough.  Thank you for your indulgence.

Although I have a small home (6 small rooms and bath), I sometimes give up the search and brew another cup.  Usually before bedtime, I find the missing cup in, you guessed it, the last place I look!

20 comments:

bittenbyknittin said...

Ha-ha! I know what you mean - I am always looking for something I just had in my hand. The last time my siblings and I got together, we were recounting stories about each other, except the subject of each story unfailingly said, "I don't remember that!" It's funny what we remember - and what we forget!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!! I DO THE SAME THING!!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!! And I LOVE your "Ode"...You are fantastic...thanks for the huge smiles today! Love you!! Janine XO

Snowbrush said...

We ALL lose our coffee, especially the ones of us who carry it around ALL DAY LONG.

I think it's time to mess with your sister by making up recent events that never happened and recent things that were never said, and then shaking your head sadly when she doesn't remember them.

Snap said...

I'm happy to know that you and I are NORMAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peter said...

I will probably start singing your version of Tannebaum if anyone requests it at Christmas... ! I like to think that forgetfulness is a sign of great intelligence! There is so much to organize in there that there simply have to be occasions when the system grinds to a temporary halt and the right file cannot be located!

That's a very nice coffee mug by-the-way, I do love the floral pattern. I was thinking of you earlier today whilst out in our garden. It was a beautiful warm spring day with the fragrance of plum blossom in the air, and all sorts of spring flowers out in Laura's garden. I am sure you would have enjoyed it.

rhymeswithplague said...

I don't forget where I place physical object so much, as that I forget what I came into a room for. The best remedy, I have found, is to go back to where you were originally and it will suddenly dawn on you what it was that you needed so badly.

Glad to be of help. I'm with Snow regarding your sister.

Carolina said...

Oh LOL! Brilliant song. Will be a hit in many 'old-people's home', where none of us belong I hasten to add.

I'm convinced that my hubs has been messing with my mind for years now. Exactly in the way Snowbrush suggested. He mentions places where we've been in the past and I'm sure I've never been there. So one of us is clearly 'not all there', and I'm sure it's not me ;-)

It's better to lose your coffee than your mind ;-)

Carolina said...

or is it 'old-peoples' home'? Or even 'old-peoples home'? Or without -? Oh well, chose which one is correct. I'm done with thinking for today ;-)

rhymeswithplague said...

Carolina et al, here is a "usage note" from dictionary.com:

People is usually followed by a plural verb and referred to by a plural pronoun: People are always looking for a bargain. The people have made their choice. The possessive is formed regularly, with the apostrophe before the -s: people's desire for a bargain; the people's choice. When people means “the entire body of persons who constitute a community or other group by virtue of a common culture, history, etc.,” it is used as a singular, with the plural peoples: This people shares characteristics with certain inhabitants of central Asia. The aboriginal peoples of the Western Hemisphere speak many different languages. The formation of the possessive is regular; the singular is people's and the plural is peoples'.

I have done my good deed for the day.

Carolina said...

Thank you RWP ;-)

rhymeswithplague said...

Pat, I forgot to say that I love, love, love your poem!

Hilary said...

Your poem is wonderful.. and you're certainly not alone. :)

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Just to say "hi!" and to send my love!! Janine XO

Suldog said...

Pretty damn funny. My particular bugaboo in this regard is my glasses. Of course, I've only needed glasses for four or five years now, and how could I be expected to remember where I put them after such a relatively short time? :-)

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Love you! ~Janine XO

Anonymous said...

No, Pat; you're in great shape. Looking for something until you find it is not only normal: it's holy, isn't it? "For whoever persistently seeks [and keeps on seeking] will find." Now it would be truly insane to keep on looking after you find it -- which is why it's always in the last place you look. Thanks for giving us yet another memorable poetic gem. Love ya lots!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

'Tis me again!!! Just to say "hi!" Love, Janine XO

Pat - Arkansas said...

Dear Faithful Friends (you know who you are): thanks for letting me know you're still out there, and caring about me. Hugs!

Jinksy said...

I know the feeling well! Though my bug bear, is usually one of those 'safe place' that special things get relegated to! They're SO much harder to find LOL :) I loved your poetic ode!

Nancy in Iowa said...

I love your song. That was just the ticket to a nod off with a smile on my face.