Sheila Charles THE HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST
Just lately, I’ve had no energy,
Which for me is nothing new.
But I seem to be worse than usual.
AT least, that’s my point of view.
Because, a friend came last Saturday.
She’d offered to bring something for tea.
She arrived bearing food-a meat pie,
And blueberry crumble. There was just her and me.
But I couldn’t muster the energy
To switch the oven on!
Working out how long to heat up the pie
Made me quite woebegone.
I thought, I suppose I had better Put the jug on to make a hot drink.
Oh, no. My lunch dishes
Were still there, unwashed, in the sink.
Milk – I’d have to walk to the fridge.
Sugar – was the sugar bowl full?
Would I warm the blueberry tart or not?
My brain felt lifeless and dull.
“Would you mind doing everything?” I said.
I felt tears coming into my eyes.
She had already supplied the meal
And I’d now asked her to supervise!
(Did it help at all, I wonder,
That I tried to apologize?)
Then it dawned on me, Oh no. The table.
Papers and books were everywhere.
There was also washing and ironing
On every single chair.
I suddenly saw the funny side. “I’m not the hostess with the mostest, ” I said.
“I’m the hostess with the latest. Sorry for being such a sleepy head.”
The thing that’s the most amazing, is this. She is such a good, kind friend.
She said, “You’ve M.E. AND Anaemia, so I can totally comprehend.”
(I know she’ll be there for me again, right to the bitter end.)
Well, that’s what I’m hoping, on the other hand
– I COULD DRIVE HER STRAIGHT ROUND THE BEND!
illustration by ume-nori
