This is in response to Sadje’s Weekly Photo Prompts on #Whatdoyousee.

The other day in the Poetry Club I read out these lines:

“There are many doors which have not opened to me.

There are many doors I have passed by and did not knock on.

There are many doors I have entered but have come out of –  changed forever.

There are many doors I have entered and did not want to come out at all.

Somewhere between these locked and unlocked doors I am stuck till now looking for a way out.”

Followed by  thunderous applause.

Many came up to me and said I should get my poems published.

A few even requested me to repeat the lines for them to jot down.

“I’d again read it at leisure…” One of them said.

So gratifying.

So humbling.

So encouraging.

Next was my husband’s turn.

Yes both of us are members of this Club. In fact, I forced him to join in. He is so tongue tied in public. Clumsy. Vague. Always short of words.

Every weekend the Club gave us a prompt word to speak on. It could be anything – poem, speech, passage from a book, personal anecdote, short story etc.

This week the prompt was : Door.

Everybody looked expectantly at him. He blushed. Mumbled a bit. And then cleared his throat and said, ” A joke…”

As soon as you say ” a joke” faces usually light up. The atmosphere changes and bristles with anticipated hilarity.

He stuttered a bit and then got into a flow:

“Once upon a time there was a ghost. A polite ghost. He ambled into a restaurant and knocked on the restroom door before entering.”

A few giggled at this.

My husband unnecessarily straightened his shirt collar which was already straight. He did that whenever he felt confident. He continued with his new found confidence.

“He entered the restroom but never came out. You know why?”

He paused dramatically and looked around the audience who appeared to be clueless.

A few more seconds…

Then somebody asked quietly, “Why?”

My husband grinned and replied,

“Because he suffered from chronic constipation.”

Of course, I was the first to laugh.

The others followed reluctantly.

#Wdsy

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About gc1963

A working woman with interests in reading, writing, music, poetry and fine arts.

35 responses »

  1. What a lovely pair you two are! Your poem about doors is beautiful and profound, and his joke (however reluctant the laughter 😄) shows he’s trying. The whole scene the poetry club, the applause, him straightening his collar—I could see it all so clearly. Thank you for sharing this moment.

    Love & Hugs
    Khadija 💕🤗

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Hazel's avatar Hazel says:

    I think I’d like to hear more poems and jokes from both of you. Amazing, gc. So many doors to discover yet.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Aptivi's avatar Aptivi says:

    Hehe, the chronic constipation really got me. 😃

    Have a wonderful weekend! ☺️

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Chris Hall's avatar Chris Hall says:

    Teehee, that was great!! 👏👏👏

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Nusrat Khan's avatar Nusrat Khan says:

    I was glad he finally straightened his collar,but then came your reply to Khadija’s comment made me realise that both the poem and joke came from talented Geeta Di.
    Mazza hee aa gaya😂

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Sadje's avatar Sadje says:

    Haha! Love both the poem and the joke. Thanks for joining in.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Profundity and fun

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Such a delightful read, Geeta ji! 😄 Your husband’s timing and that unexpected punchline had me laughing. What a lovely way to turn the prompt “Door” into a memorable moment! 👏😂

    Liked by 1 person

    • gc1963's avatar gc1963 says:

      Maha…I guess I should have given a Disclaimer in the very beginning that this is a work of fiction and all characters are imaginary. Here ‘I’ is a character not the writer.

      But thanks for enjoying the post.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. richardbist's avatar richardbist says:

    The line of poetry are quite beautiful. I agree with the others that say you should publish them.

    And your husband’s joke took me a moment, then I laughed out loud! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  10. ganga1996's avatar ganga1996 says:

    The poem is beautiful and love the light humor that well along with it in the end! Wow you did mix up so many genres in one prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Carol anne's avatar Carol anne says:

    Lol funny joke! Glad everyone got into it! Your husband must’ve been pleased!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. parikhit's avatar parikhit says:

    That is a funny joke 😀

    Liked by 1 person

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