by Sheila Deeth
Member since:
February 1, 2007

Christmas duck

February 18, 2009 12:36 AM EST
views: 61 | comments: 17

Glory was the favorite one—Lucy’s best and only friend. Too old to lay, the speckled duck wandered the yard with nothing to defend. No threatening squawks over buried treasure, she’d measure the little girl’s footsteps with her own, then rest by her seat. In the evenings the duck stood guard at the gate to wait, laughing her foolish quack as Lucy came back, school’s hardships done.

 

Christmas dinner was good that year despite the war: home-grown vegetables, dark sauce, and fresh-laid eggs enriching the stuffing and dessert. Glory to God! But no glory for Lucy. She’s given up meat.

 

© Sheila Deeth, February 2009



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Comments: 17

lynn a. Feb 18, 2009, 1:26am EST
Oh. I can't believe you killed the duck off. Well, it was a very good story anyway. How will Lucy ever get over this.
Pat M. Feb 18, 2009, 2:49am EST
I guess that's what is called bittersweet...
Lovely drabble Sheila. Glad I caught it, and the trail of breadcrumbs to another drabble group.
JOHN BECK Feb 18, 2009, 5:46am EST
I bet the meat was tough.
Kay M. Feb 18, 2009, 1:27pm EST
Awww. Poor Glory and Lucy. I imagine farm children are used to this though. Great drabble Sheila.
Bhawana 'Gather Proud Mom' Feb 18, 2009, 4:40pm EST
amazing write...
Marge H. Feb 18, 2009, 5:19pm EST
Awww! So sad.
Shelbia C. Feb 18, 2009, 6:22pm EST
wonderful tale, but sad
Alison H. Feb 18, 2009, 10:00pm EST
A good write!
Ainsley Jo Phillips Feb 18, 2009, 10:06pm EST
Poor Lucy! Glory was her Old Yeller. Her Red Pony. I wonder what the sequel to this poem would be like. What will it be like for Lucy returning to school without the comfort of knowing that her best friend would be waiting for her when she returned? Could you write a poem about that? Or would you rather just let each reader imagine and write his/her own sequel?
Beverly T. Feb 19, 2009, 7:41pm EST
I feel for Lucy. No one to wait at the gate any more.
William Dotani Feb 21, 2009, 9:57am EST
Oh my! Great black comedy. I love how you set up the ending and how you make us love this duck.
Patti M. Feb 21, 2009, 8:11pm EST
Saw that one coming. Thank you for your comment on my Best Buddy post.
Lisa K. Feb 22, 2009, 11:22am EST
Great drabble.
Virginia M. Feb 24, 2009, 8:56am EST
Oh! Glory was such a good friend, then when it was Christmas-forLucy-glory was gone:(

Well written, Sheila
Wilma M. Feb 25, 2009, 5:44pm EST
I was afraid from the title that Glory was not going to last long. We used to raise our own cattle for beef and I told my mom when I grew up I was NOT going to be eating steaks, roasts, etc. She said, "Well, of course, you will. You'll have to cook them for your husband."

Guess who was right? ME!
Gary (aka: William Pinn) J. Mar 4, 2009, 12:57am EST
How sad! When I was a kid my pet duck was killed and butchered also. :-(

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