I am here to share a narrative poem and taking the opportunity to celebrate the frequently heard idiom- ' I'd like to be a fly on the wall.' I had a chuckle to myself while writing this one...
I must come clean here and reveal that Ronny Wunders, a character central to this poem is based on two of my childhood friends. He is a composite of two people and has featured in several of my previous poems. He is what is referred to as a recurring character. He does some heavy lifting for others who remain anonymous.
There is in fact a real Ronnie Wunders out there somewhere, as well. Allow me to explain...
Some years ago while walking through a large department store, an announcement rang out for someone called, Ronnie Wunders. I thought, what a great name- and the rest is history. I adopted Ronnie Wunders, in name only!
Ronnie's been having adventures in my poems ever since, along with Cliff Edges, Shirley Birley and others.
Ah the machinations of a poet's messy mind!
A Fly on the Wall
My friend, Ronny Wunders
Rang me and asked me to come
round to his place
I’ve got something to tell you,
said Ronnie
-It’s kind of a secret…
So, gobbled down my breakfast, climbed
on my bike
And zoomed round to his place.
Ronnie was waiting at the front
door
And waved at me to follow him
He was acting like a character
from a spy novel
The day felt strange and it was
only 9.00 am.
We went to his room where he
closed the door behind us
And began speaking in a raspy
whisper
Asking me to promise not to tell
anyone
About what he was going to tell
me
So, I promised not to tell
anyone about something I hadn’t yet been told
Which felt weird
-And then I waited to hear
Ronnie’s secret.
But before he could spill the
beans
I noticed a fly on the wall
I felt I must point it out to
Ronnie, just in case
Okay, says my friend
I’ll tell you later when there’s
no one hanging around
-But he never did tell me his
secret
And I now realize flies don’t
have ears
So why do people say
Ooh, I’d like to be a fly on the wall
when they talk about that?
It is once again, Poetry Friday and this time our host is Tracey Kiff Judson who does a deep dive into figurative language with some great insights.
Ronny Wunders! I am so happy that you snapped up that name when you heard it. Your story sparked my curiosity, so I had to google about flies for a while! : )
ReplyDeleteI literally swooped on the name. My wife was with at the time and she saw that mad look in my eye when the announcement was made. It looks like you are caught up in the buzz concerning flies, Tracey...
DeleteAs usual, finished off by asking a searching question. And what was ‘the best thing’ before sliced bread?
ReplyDeleteTouche' Thank you for your acute observations.
DeleteHa! The literal fly on the wall in the pic and your cat at the door had me smiling at first...but rushing to hear a secret of Ronny Wunders? That's a good ole' giggle and gafaw!
ReplyDeleteGlad, my poem reached your funny bone, Linda. I love working with Ronny Wunders.
DeleteLove that you have a repeating character in your poems. :)
ReplyDeleteRonnie Wunders sits on my shoulder, Irene, hoping to get a gig.
DeleteHaha, great story, even though we didn't find out the secret :)
ReplyDeleteAh, Tabatha, sometimes it's fun to leave the reader guessing. Speculation, something to ponder...
DeleteNow I'm thinking I absolutely need a recurring character in my poems! I'll be on the lookout (or keep my ears open) for the perfect name.
ReplyDeleteI love how your poem strings us right along with Ronnie, and then leaves us wondering about the secret...AND about the "fly on the wall" saying.
May the search prove fruitful, Mary Lee. It's fun to listen for engaging names,. I recall my dad telling me about a fellow he knew in the army -Clifford Cluff. Thank you for your kind remarks.
DeleteAlan, "Ah the machinations of a poet's messy mind!", is such a great line.. In your narrative poem, the ending question is an interesting one. When you find the answer let us know. Maybe Ronnie has a messy mind also.Thanks for the term recurring character. I will remember that as Lady Autumn continues to be the leading lady of Autumn days.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol. Your observations prompt me towards further thought.
DeleteLOL -- Loved this narrative poem. And now can we please hear from Shirley Birley?
ReplyDeleteShirley Birley? Thanks for the prompt, Patricia. Next week possibly. I just have to locate where she's hiding.
DeleteOh this: "Ah the machinations of a poet's messy mind!", I've stayed up way too long because of it. And Ronny Wunders...I could see a book of poems featuring him. I never knew that flies don't have ears. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteOh Jone. That's a lot of Ronny Wunders advventures... There you go, another fly fact tto add to your collection.
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