When I Was Very Young

I guess this "National Poetry Month" thing is working. I've certainly been thinking about poetry more than I usually do, mostly thanks to the often poetic Ren, who when I suggested one must suffer some in life to be artistic, posited that since drinking can also inpire creativity, we should have some cocktails. My kind of poetry. (I'll have rum in mine, please!)

She also reminded me of my love of A.A. Milne collections when I was a child. My favorite poem was "Rice Pudding," about poor Mary Jane who does not like rice pudding and refuses to eat it for dinner...again. That's my interpretation anyway. Being a picky eater and hater of rice pudding myself, this piece speaks to me.

Rice Pudding
A.A. Milne

What is the matter with Mary Jane?
She's crying with all her might and main,
And she won't eat her dinner-rice pudding again-
What is the matter with Mary Jane?

What is the matter with Mary Jane?
I've promised her dolls and a daisy-chain,
And a book about animals-all in vain-
What is the matter with Mary Jane?

What is the matter with Mary Jane?
She's perfectly well, and hasn't a pain;
But, look at her, now she's at it again!-
What is the matter with Mary Jane?

What is the matter with Mary Jane?
I've promised her sweets and a ride in the train,
And I've begged her to stop for a bit and explain-
What is the matter with Mary Jane?

What is the matter with Mary Jane?
She's perfectly well, and hasn't a pain,
And it's lovely rice pudding for dinner again!
What is the matter with Mary Jane?

I can tell you what the matter with her is. It's that damn rice pudding 'they' want her to keep eating. No wonder she's beting a brat. I can totally relate!