Cracking Shells Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

-Well...
You should know,
Anything one does to do...
Someone will claim,
It is not perfect.
Nothing is! -

No place is there to hide.
Or disguise the cracking of shells.
When done.
In such a public way to display it.

Even though,
The doing may be anticipated.
Yet...
Left surprised and shocked.
Are the ones with eyes wide open.
Believing in disbelief.
The possibility of it...
Occurring as they witness.

Cracking shells.
Without announcements made.
Or assistance given.
Nor a clue a cracking to do,
Would be done to seek approval.
But heads are observed to nod.
As if familiar with the 'odd',
And out of place gesture.

Then...
Begins an attempt,
To pretend and explain.
The act was not meant to be taken,
As seriously as it was.

"Whew!
That's a relief.
So...
You were teasing to pretend,
The losing of your mind.
Right? "

-But of course.
My staff and I,
Practice the doing of that...
All the time.
Ask them.
And with me, privately...
That's all we do.
Practice, practice. Practice! -

"To...
Make the doing of it,
Perfect? "

-Well...
You should know,
Anything one does to do...
Someone will claim,
It is not perfect.
Regardless how close to it,
That attempt is made.-

"Do you mind if I quote you,
Word for word? "

-Nothing I say,
Is quoted word for word.
And you of all people should know that! -