The Short Story
I am a petite person of between 5 and 5’ 1”. When I was younger I was rather skinny, but not anymore. This poem describes the disadvantages and advantages of being short. But I’m really happy with my size.
I am a petite lass I am.When I was in primary schoolMy sister couldn’t see me at allAmongst the taller girls aroundMy teacher didn’t know I was aroundWhen she called the daily call. I started work at nineteenThe colleagues thought I was fourteenThey wondered how I started to workAnd visit the pub with my friends after work. I went to Uni in my late twentiesThey thought I was straight from schoolAfter A levels at eighteenIt was a pleasant surprise indeed. When I go shopping I cannot reachItems from two top shelves that I needI jump to get some cornflakesWhen all the boxes would shake. I need a box to stand onTo reach my clothes on top shelfI yank them clothes fall on my headIt’s an awfully funny sight to be seen. I spotted a spider one nightAbove my bed on the ceiling highI climbed my bed to remove the frightFell down cracked my lip and cried. I try a pair of trousers in shopLooks like Charlie Chaplin in workshopDresses too long I have to cropMakes my shopping day a flop. There are some benefitsIn being a petite personYou can get into children’s clothesBuy them at a cheaper price. Years ago they thought I was cuteSome tried to bully me frightBut when they saw my big brown eyes lightTheir hearts melted and bulling stopped. At parties I got carried by menAs I was light as a featherBut they dare not carry me nowAs I’m not so skinny as I was. When I go for an outdoor concertWhen crowds are gathered on the streetTo see a special person pass byI always miss the show. I feel like Zacchaeus the tax collectorWho wanted to see Jesus the creatorbut being a short man the tax collectorHe climbed a sycamore tree with a detector. I often wonder why it isNo one cater for short people like meWhether it’s clothes or shelves in shopsCupboards that are short to keep your clothes. They make special things for left handersRamps for wheelchair usersSpecial food for different allergies.But nothing for shorties like me. I wonder when my time is o’erMy short days are finally a closureWould they lay me in shorter box for cremationAnd charge me less for the funeralBut would that really bother me at allWhen I’m lined up to see my God the creator?