Mrs. Beasley packed her purse
fearing things would just get worse:
gloves and flippers, skates and socks
lotion for the chicken pox
rain umbrella, steaks and fries
drops and goggles for her eyes
cell phone, blanket, tire jack
a map so she could make it back
pound of breath mints, whistle, mace
sun-screen to protect her face
shovel, ladder, power bar
a plastic cover for the car
a barbecue, a four-inch book
a frying pan so she could cook
a deck of cards, a game of chess
her handbag really was a mess,
prepared for all she could foresee
any eventuality
but worse it got, and most unfunny –
she left her credit cards and money!
Violet Nesdoly 