the sad tale of Beth and Seth

This is the tale of the wall - called Seth,

Seth thus was it’s name;

And a picture – normally known as Beth,

Which, by the way, included it’s frame.

Now the picture, Beth, hung upon the wall

Whilst the wall – called Seth

Didn’t mind at all.

[even though the hook from which it hung

When first banged in had really stung.]

Anyway together they watched the world go by

Together they’d comment on the view,

Beth with her single picture eye,

Seth [being two-sided] with his two.

Now with this extra, additional perspective

It was easier for him to be objective,

Beth however was often infected

With feelings that really were more subjective

And while – to her – her views were cool

Very often those views she expressed to the wall

Seemed to Seth to be awfully small,

Whilst his wallish thoughts – that to him were grand

To Beth were all too often bland.

[poet’s note - seeing how they enjoyed such close proximity

it’s a pity there wasn’t more equanimity.]

Now on the reverse side of the wall - the view that Seth, through tact, never mentioned

[for fear of inculcating envy] in other words, it was best-intentioned,

There ran - not a path, nor a modest byway -

But much more like a major highway.

And it was during this rather sensitive juncture

That a passing lorry contracted a puncture.

And skidding – with it’s heavy load

Out of control it crossed the road,

And hardly uttering an apology at all

Careened cavalierly right into the wall.

The driver had narrowly avoided death

Which was more than could be said

For Beth and Seth.

Did I mention it was Thursday?

I don’t recollect

Anyway for them

It was the worst Thursday yet

Here one minute….

 Gone the next!

[I can’t think of any morale to this

Except don’t find differences

Just kiss].