in, out, in, out

Walk into sitting-room. On the television, cows pursue a lonely boy across a misty field. When a convict shows up, realise my father is watching Nicholas Nickleby.

Walk out again.

Walk in later. Someone in British navy uniform declaims, "I am not inclined to hurry any man's judgement so that the admirals can sleep easier." Realise my mother is watching Hornblower.

Have supper. Walk out again.

Walk in again to do dishes. Patients are being triaged. Identify ER.

My parents have had so much fun since getting Sky television.

---

Why, Asks a Friend, Attempt Tetrameter? (Golden Gate 5.4)

Why, asks a friend, attempt tetrameter?
Because it once was noble, yet
Capers before the proud pentameter,
Tyrant of English. I regret
To see this marvelous swift meter
Deamean its heritage, and peter
Into mere Hudibrastic tricks,
Unapostolic knacks and knicks.
But why take all this quite so badly?
I would not, had I world and time
To wait for reason, rhythm, rhyme,
To reassert themselves, but sadly,
The time is not remote when I
Will not be here to wait. That's why.

-- Vikram Seth