"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." ~George Bernard Shaw

"Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time." ~Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn


Thursday, June 10, 2010

Magpie #18

The Reluctant King
Two brothers not really alike

One serving his country

The other chasing a pretty face

One sacrificing his private life

While the other merely got a wife

29 comments:

  1. Kathew,
    ow often does love win out?
    Very appropo.
    Nice magpie, and so quickly too. I'm envious. ;)
    rel

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  2. Ah well, I don't think he thought of it as 'merely.' All the same, an interesting ramble through the contrasts in their lives.

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  3. I was very young but I remember the drama. I think the country got a better king in the end.

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  4. This time in history was certainly an interesting one with all of the personal drama .... very well written Magpie!

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  5. Helen- wasn't it a fascinating time. I remember well all the dinner time discussions when King George VI died and young Elizabeth became Queen.

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  6. Rinkly Rimes- absolutely!!!

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  7. Aoife.Troxel-
    I agree with you, but I think others thought "merely"....but that was then and aren't things different now!

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  8. I suppose it will always be a bit of a mystery as to who really got the better deal.

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  9. Choices. I love personal dramas!

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  10. I like it. I wanted to work that angle myself, but it just didn't come forth. Good job!

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  11. Apsolutely love this one!! :-)

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  12. You delineate the differences well. Too bad the older King George could not be recognized for his talents rather than outworn presuppositions.

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  13. Excellent take on the prompt. 'merely' is such a tiny word for the magnitude of what took place - I love the way it enhances the story to the nth!

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  14. Anonymous10:52 AM

    Hi Kathew, thank you for your visit. I like your take on this prompt. I researched and enjoyed the story since It was a long time ago I learned it. Great job.
    QMM

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  15. You wrapped up the history in one delightful little piece. Nice.

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  16. Great little piece! This was mostly the royal attitude towards it. I'd give up everything (apart from my guitar) for love......

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  17. And that's that..short and sweet!!

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  18. Great Magpie! :)

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  19. oh so very nice and pointed...an interesting contrast that...great magpie!

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  20. five lines,
    tons of fun...
    you did it very wisely and effectively.

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  21. Ah, the choices of kings, they changed the course of the royalty's history.

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  22. You made me smile as cut to the chase with this one.

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  23. Nicely done, Kathew.

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  24. I think getting a wife is a pretty good deal!!! Of course, I am still a romantic, even at 65!

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  25. I love this little poem -- such a concise summary with a fun little lilt. Well done!

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  26. Anonymous7:43 PM

    You have summed the situation very well. I wonder if just getting a wife was enough for the man who otherwise would have been King?

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  27. so true---Edward acknowledged his brother's family in his parting speech--you explore his deciusion on many levels in so few words--great magpie!

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