Poop Spelled Backwards is Poop (The Story)

Poop Spelled Backwards is Poop

By:  Jeff Gardiner

Part I

Her palms became sweaty, Her heartbeat was steady

Living blessings far as eyes could see

It was hard to believe that on this, Christmas Eve

She’d soon become “Grandma Marie.”

Every Minute felt like an hour long

Time was slowly ticking away

When out of thin air her eldest declared;

“It’s a girl!  She’ll be called Maddy Mae!”

As you might surmise, it was no surprise

When she and Maddy became closest friends

They’d watch cartoons, take a cat nap at Noon,

And talk till daylight came to an end.

Maddy learned much, about manners and such

Even that colds could be healed with hot soup

But what stuck in her mind, which is funny, you’ll find

Was that “Poop spelled backwards is poop!”

“Learn from your past.”  Was the lesson taught last.

And “never give up in the fight.”

“There will be struggles at times.  This I know for a fact.

In the end we’re all better despite.”

Part II

Soon came a day Maddy heard her mom say

“I understand;” As she hung up the phone

It didn’t take long to know something was wrong

She could tell from her mother’s tone.

With a look so sincere mommy spoke through her tears

In a voice with a notable shake

“We’ve worked so hard for all these years,

Why can’t WE ever catch a break?!?

“Recession, recession you’ve taught us your lesson

How have I been such a fool?”

This confused Maddy lots ‘cause SHE’D always thought

That recess was the BEST part of school.

Having heard enough gloom Maddy skipped to her room

In typical Maddy Mae style.

She flopped on her bed with her hands on her head

Determined to make her mom smile.

Then with a quick burst Maddy sprung from her perch.

“I’ve got an idea!” She exclaimed.

She flew past her mom, grabbed a pen and a pad

And was gone as quick as she came.

Back to her bed, this time lying instead

She began writing her Mommy a note

Maddy chuckled and snorted as she scribbled her words

And this is what she wrote:

“Mommy, I love you! I always will!

More than dolphins love jumping through hoops!

Grandma Marie says it’s so. I thought you’d like to know

That poop spelled backwards is poop!”

With excited feet Maddy jumped down from her seat

To show her Mommy what she had done.

It was certain in the battle of Mom vs. Sad

Maddy Mae had undoubtedly won.

Still as a stone, writing a note of her own

Tear stained and with trembling hands.

Asked what made her so blue, her Mom softly replied;

“My dear, I’m afraid you won’t understand.”

“Try me!” She said plopping down on a chair.

“You might be surprised what I’ve learned.”

Then she rolled up her sleeves, put her chin in her hand

And listened with utmost concern.

“Maddy, you’ve won my heart, now my trust as well

So I’ll share what has happened today.

Grandma Marie has been ill for a while

And I worry she may soon pass away!

Your Father has been working his job so hard

I know this was his biggest fear.

He wanted to spend more time with HIS Mom.

This is the last thing he’ll want to hear.”

Maddy unfolded the note. With a lump in her throat

She said “I wrote this especially for you.”

“I was hoping to see you happy again

Maybe I should write one for Daddy too!”

Tears of sorrow turned to laughter and joy

When her Mom read what Maddy had penned

“I’m so glad you’re here ‘cause it’s abundantly clear

That you my child, are a true Godsend.”

With amazement and pride her mom grinned wide

At this angel wise beyond her age of nine.

“Writing Daddy a note is a wonderful idea.

When you’re finished you can help me with mine!”

Out of nowhere Maddy leapt from her chair

And flashed through the house like a light

Tapping her pen on her pad she thought of her Dad

Then feverishly began to write.

“Daddy, I love you! I always will!

More than ice cream with more than one scoop!

I don’t know if you know that I know it is so,

That Poop spelled backwards is Poop!”

Part III

Much time had gone by and her mom wondered why

Maddy hadn’t emerged from her chore

“Writers block perhaps or an afternoon nap”

She wondered as she opened the door.

What a sight for sore eyes, and a pleasant surprise

For which Maddy’s Mom wasn’t prepared

Calm as a tree and on bended knees

Maddy Mae’s hands were folded in prayer

“Hello God! I hope you are well.

It’s your friend Maddy Mae checking in.

So much has happened since the last time we spoke

I’m not really sure where to begin.”

“I’m so sorry it’s late, but I appreciate

All of the wonderful things that you do

But as you probably know, it’s normally so

That I’ll need from you a favor or two.”

“I know that money doesn’t grow on trees

But it’s harder to save than I thought.

And I’m not really sure who this “Bill” person is,

But we obviously owe him a lot!”

“So, if need be I will happily

Take my piggy bank down from its shelf.

And though I’m not quite ten I could also chip in

By getting a part time job for myself.”

“Last but not least there’s my Grandma Marie

Who has taken a turn for the worst.

To know her I’ve been blessed. So my only request,

Is above all else you watch over her first.”

Then with an Amen Maddy opened her eyes

To an audience with tear soaked cheeks.

Fully immersed in the devotional verse

Stood her mother unable to speak.

Not saying a word Maddy strode ‘cross the room

A determined look on her face.

She grasped her Mom’s hands, pulled her down to her size

And offered a loving embrace.

The day couldn’t have been better.  She helped Mom with her letter

Which included a Maddy Mae poem.

They marked “special delivery for Grandma Marie”

And would visit when daddy got home.

Hours went by next to Grandma Marie’s side

Until visiting time ceased for the night.

The three implored as they reached for the door

For Grandma to hang on with all of her might.

Grandma Marie smiled foreknowingly

Then asked to speak with her Granddaughter alone.

She brushed the hair from Maddy’s face

And said, “My child how quickly you’ve grown.”

“You remind me of myself when I was a girl,”

Her Grandma Marie continued on.

“I’m not done fighting yet, but you’d better bet

That I’ll be with you even after I’m gone.

Part V

Fifteen years had passed since Grandma Marie’s last

Maddy recalled pleasant thoughts in her head.

Time surely had flew, but she had so much to do

For in a few hours she and Danny would be wed.

For this bride to be it was a guarantee,

As undeniable was her love

On her special day she KNEW Grandma Marie

Watched over her from above.

When the service was drawing to a close

Danny gazed into Maddy Mae’s eyes

“I hope you’re not mad, but your Mom and your Dad

Helped me prepare a special surprise.”

Danny reached inside the pocket

Of his rented tuxedo coat,

He unfolded his vows, wiped the sweat from his brow

Turned to Maddy and cleared his throat.

“Maddy I love you!! Forever I will!!

You make my heart go loop-di-loop!

No matter how old we grow, it will always be so

That Poop spelled backwards is Poop!!”

The Church fell silent for a moment

You could have heard a termite sneeze

All seemed bleak ‘til Danny kissed her cheek

And said “Maddy say something, please!!”

Briefly she appeared to be motionless

Then her eyes began to search

Their guests all glanced like she were in her underpants,

Alone at the front of the church.

The first sound to emerge was a giggle

She tried to bottle her emotions inside

But the next thing she knew all the guests giggled too

And before long she laughed until she cried.

The Bride and Groom smiled as they rushed down the aisle

Giving high fives along the way.

Abruptly they stopped before leaving the church,

Maddy spun and proclaimed “I’ve got something important to say”.

“Life is hard, at times even unfair

But the key to a happily ever after

Is to pray like you mean it, love your family and friends

And save room in your heart for laughter.”

“And one final thought.  Something Grandma Marie taught.”

Maddy paused and looked over the group

“If you take one thing away, from our special day,

Remember that Poop spelled backwards is poop!!!”

Copyright November 2, 2011

(Registration # TXu 1-776-875) 

Copyright meaning I can sue if you steal this  : )

For Dawn and Jordan + Mom and Dad

Copyright 2012 J.C. Gardiner

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