by Chuck Kramer, Chicago U.S.A.
Ideas are sparks of creativity
leaping from the fire of imagination
and sometimes shower the thinker
with jingling coins
but beware the sparks—
they may burn what they touch
leaving fingers scorched and scarred
as smoking thoughts drift off
over a pocket full of bitter ash
Sharry based her collage on a combination of four pieces of folklore:
A frog coming to the door is a sign of marriage in the family
If a girl’s apron takes fire in front it is a sign of marriage
Two spoons given in cup signify an invitation to a wedding
Some mothers cut the sign of the Cross with tongs held in left hand three times over the head and three times at the feet of a girl going out to be married
by
M. McHugh, New York
“If a girl’s apron takes fire in front it is a sign of marriage. Fire on the side or the back is a sign of misfortune”
A cottage. Girl stands in front of fire.
MOTHER You’re standing awful close there to the fire.
GIRL Am I? I’m not, surely.
GIRL moves closer to the fire.
MOTHER Ah you are now, you’ll catch fire altogether.
GIRL Sure, I won’t at all.
GIRL moves closer to fire again. Catches on fire.
GIRL Oh my apron’s on fire! It’s on fire!
MOTHER Jesus above, isn’t that a sign of marriage.
GIRL Tis! Tis! Indeed!
OLD AUNT IN THE CORNER Looks like your apron is on backwards.
GIRL Is it?
MOTHER Oh misfortunes, misfortunes! That’s a sign of misfortunes!
GIRL Misfortune!
OLD AUNT IN THE CORNER Indeed! Sure you’re on fire!
END PLAY
