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Her Best
"She tried her best," he'd always say
About his foster mother's way.
For truth was harsh as aging grace
And alcohol she used in place
Of adulation put to rest.
She tried her best.
Barbs: pickled, abusive, vicious,
Cast at children, so delicious
If said onscreen to ingenues,
But for her children brought the blues
And lasting wounds that were not dressed.
She tried her best.
The form is a short rondel. The poem is about a former silent film star I was reading about recently. I'd prefer to keep her name silent. But I was struck by a comment from her adopted son. It definitely seemed to damn with faint praise.
Discussion (10)
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And, this is today's entry for our Doggerel of the Day series. If you would like to share a poem, yours or otherwise, good or bad, light or serious, we still have plenty of dates available this month. Twelve by my count at the moment. Sign up here: Doggerel of the Day October 2025 Sign-Up Sheet.
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Holy cow.
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Thank you, I think. True stories are often quite something.
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Bummer.
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Personally, I'm surprised none had used that tag before.
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