Being Boring
If you ask me 'What's new?', I have nothing to say
Except that the garden is growing.
I had a slight cold but it's better today.
I'm content with the way things are going.
Yes, he is the same as he usually is,
Still eating and sleeping and snoring.
I get on with my work. He gets on with his.
I know this is all very boring.
There was drama enough in my turbulent past:
Tears and passion-I've used up a tankful.
No news is good news, and long may it last,
If nothing much happens, I'm thankful.
A happier cabbage you never did see,
My vegetable spirits are soaring.
If you're after excitement, steer well clear of me.
I want to go on being boring.
I don't go to parties. Well, what are they for,
If you don't need to find a new lover?
You drink and you listen and drink a bit more
And you take the next day to recover.
Someone to stay home with was all my desire
And, now that I've found a safe mooring,
I've just one ambition in life: I aspire
To go on and on being boring.
Commentary
The title of this poem caught my eye and I knew I just had to read it. Somehow heading a poem ‘being boring’ promises an interesting poem (it cannot be a confession, it has to be sarcy or humourous or something). Dunno the theory of meter and all, but the words march along very briskly when I read it aloud. I think the poem is something you can imagine some character played by Emma Thompson reciting in a movie.
— Zenobia
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From the Wondering Minstrels mailing list, 1999–2008.
James Warburton · 3 August 2005
Brilliant If I was asked to set out my ideal outlook on my life style. This little gem says it all.. Oh God I must seem dull to others. MAGUS
Flypusher1 · 24 October 2006
Not sure what this site is (i did a google search on the poem) but anyway, it invites a comment. It is my favourite poem, im afraid im not really very bookish but everyone must have a favourite poem. Before this, my favourite poem was “the tiger” by Ted Hughes, not sure i even got the title right. That was from childhood, and now ive grown up and i definately share Ms Cope’s aspirations.
Take care
Louise
Valerie Bond · 9 April 2007
i think this poem could have been written about me. a friend told me about your work when i mensioned that whilst going thro the break up of my marraige i started to write poems. i wrote about people at work and people i spoke to on the internet and it helped my friends used to cry at some of them. so yes i cant connect with this poem
val