Southern Discomfort
A barrage of dainty words like “Bless her heart!” and “Y’all.”
greeted me as I approached the entrance to the ball.
As I turned this and that way to fit me through the door,
it was then that I regretted the hoop skirt that I wore.
Finally giving it a yank and then one great yank more,
I fear I heard a ripping sound as something in there tore.
I grabbed a small mint julep from the tray that passed me by,
but waved away the country ham, eschewed the pecan pie,
for the merry widow that I was squeezed into
already had me short of breath and slowly turning blue.
A few spins around the dance floor with something in my shoe,
convinced me that my southern ball experience was through.
We exited the ballroom, motored out of the plantation,
and in the backseat I surrendered to severe temptation.
Like those giant pythons that shed their skins in zoos,
I peeled off my merry widow and my ball gown and my shoes.
My hoop skirt parachuting out the window brought a smile
as I disposed of finery mile after mile.
As we drew up to the levee and approached the shrimping docks,
I drew on my old Levis and a t-shirt and my Crocs.
By then my southern gentlemen was through with me, I fear.
He was driving rather fast and grinding every gear.
So it won’t be any news to you that our romance was through.
“Southern” is just something that this northern girl can’t do.
Prompt words used in this post were news, dainty and barrage. Photo is stock footage from “Gone with the Wind.”
https://fivedotoh.com/2019/01/30/fowc-with-fandango-news/
https://onedailyprompt.wordpress.com/2019/01/30/your-daily-word-prompt-dainty-january-30-2019/
https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2019/01/30/barrage/
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
There are so many torturous fashions I’m glad to see the end of! Now if women could only allow themselves — and their bosses would allow them — the same sensible heels men get to wear…
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In Mexico the women still walk gracefully over the cobblestones in stilettos. Don’t know how they do it.
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I like the jeans and t-shirt myself. Nice one.
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I actually used to wear a waist cincher for a few years in high school. What were we thinking? Girdles, as well, back when I didn’t need them.
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I giggled profusely reading this. I am a Southern girl in heart and in truth………and just an FYI..if ANY Southerner EVER says “bless your heart” to you? You have just been cussed at.
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Yes.. I know that, Suze. I’ve seen enough Southern movies and read enough books and had enough friends from the south..Ha.
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Haha, Brilliant. GWTW is one of my favourite films. You conjured up the imagery of the ball very well, then brought us back to reality again. 🙂
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Thanks, Kristian. I read the book under the covers and while my folks were out of town as my mother thought it was too racy for a junior in high school to read. Ha!!!
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I have started to read the book. It goes into a lot more depth than the film. 🙂
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Yes.
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Took this northerner a while to learn “bless your heart” is an insult.
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I know..More often, “bless her heart” as a southern way to damn politely!!!
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Important thing to know. I often say, “Well, bless your dear heart,” if someone does something especially nice for me. 🙂
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Judy, there are times when you don’t know how good you are. This poem is one of them!😇 .
I never went to a southern ball.
I’m so glad. Thank y’all!
xxx
Anton
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Aw, Anton. You are so sweet. How are you feeling??
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No Scarlett o’Hara you, right?
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Nope. Never…
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😹
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Loved it!
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