Monday, November 21, 2011

A Study in Celibacy

Magpie Tale's photo prompt

∞§∞

A Study in Celibacy
©2011 Susan Noyes Anderson

We wanted to experiment
with abstinence and self-restraint.
At first, surprised how well it went,
we muddled through without complaint.

The climate changed, and so did we.
Love’s "higher plane" was torture, squared.
Our celibate ability
was quite impaired; our tempers flared.

The tension swept through days and weeks.
Our longing triggered an eclipse.
Two heads, together, made some tweaks...
true meetings of the minds and lips.

But ix-nay on the hips. No hips.

∞§∞

I'm flying with that Magpie gang again.
For more responses to the picture prompt, click below.

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32 comments:

  1. UnknownNovember 21, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    Yes, tempers would flare!

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  2. UnknownNovember 21, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    oh my. NO HIPS!

    also known as the post-baby study in celibacy (at least 6 weeks)

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  3. Susan AndersonNovember 21, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    Ah yes, Anna. I remember it well.

    (And I believe that included the intensive sleep deprivation study, too...)

    ;)

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  4. cosmos camiNovember 21, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    This was really cool.
    The comic ending sent it home.

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  5. CBNovember 21, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    I never want to be a part of this study - (wink!).
    Interesting all the same.

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  6. Brian MillerNovember 21, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    yes i can see where this might create a bit of angst...lol...ah the games we play...so close to the fire thinking we will not burn

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  7. HelenNovember 21, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    I like the saucy energy of this!

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  8. Welcome to the Garden of EganNovember 21, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    Interesting.
    Not sure I wanna be a tester though.

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  9. Susan AndersonNovember 21, 2011 at 11:47 AM

    Pretty sure Paul and Joanne wouldn't wanted to be testers, either.

    (Nor would I.)

    ;)

    PS. I did have to laugh at Anna M's comment, though. Sometimes, choice is not involved...

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  10. karenNovember 21, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    No hips...no fun. Cute take!

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  11. Mimi FoxmortonNovember 21, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    lol
    Wonderful! :)

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  12. FrikoNovember 21, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    I doubt that they practised it. On the other hand, long-married couple perhaps come to abstain out of sheer familiarity?

    Oh well, what do I know. And if I did, I wouldn't say.
    Thanks for visiting, I'll have to check you out.

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  13. Other MaryNovember 21, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    x-nay on the hips - hahahaha! Great! And your song fits perfectly as well!

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  14. Carrie Van HornNovember 21, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    Love it!! :-)

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  15. anitamombanitaNovember 21, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    great way to start the week!

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  16. Janet MartinNovember 21, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    :))

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  17. TonyaNovember 21, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    Love it!!! Yes, indeed, ix-nay the hips. They just expand after marriage anyhow. :)

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  18. TonyaNovember 21, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Oops, I assumed this was referring to a dating couple...no celibacy studies in this house!!! :)

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  19. yayaNovember 21, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    Hehehehe! I think you made me blush!

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  20. Dave KingNovember 22, 2011 at 3:14 AM

    Wonderful! The poem, that is, not sure about the experiment... was there a reason? What about a bit of back story? Failing which this is priceless. Thanks for it.

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  21. People Who Know Me Would Say:November 22, 2011 at 3:41 AM

    First of all, how cute is that profile photo of you???!!! I totally love it. I've got to find a hat to fit my 25 inch head!

    This was quite amusing - I remember being an old fashioned teenager and also the post-baby thing.

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  22. jenNovember 22, 2011 at 5:19 AM

    I just tried to email you and the message came back as undeliverable. So I thought I'd leave a comment here:
    I wanted you to know that
    the quilt came, and it is a fabulous addition to my living room, carefully
    draped over a chair. I actually took a short snooze yesterday afternoon in a
    delicious puddle of sun under a cozy quilt . . .
    Thanks. I'll think of you every time I see it (or snooze!)

    Jenny

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  23. CadNovember 22, 2011 at 5:32 AM

    Not those two!

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  24. LynNovember 22, 2011 at 5:32 AM

    The most fun! Lived happily ever after? Charming and witty!

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  25. Erika November 22, 2011 at 6:39 AM

    I had to laugh at Anna's comment. I remember those six weeks. Could not quite understand hubby's question about it since we were so tired!

    Erika
    It’s a Wrap Link Party at Artful Rising

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  26. Susan AndersonNovember 22, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    There really is no back story to speak of, Dave.

    I just looked at the photo, noted the passion and the tension...and decided it looked like two people engaged in a very-diffifcult-to-maintain celibacy.

    =)

    PS. Of course, my frame of reference might be that I was a very conservative young girl with a looooong engagement. ;)

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  27. Doctor FTSENovember 22, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Thoroughly enjoyable Magpie.

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  28. CHummelKornellNovember 23, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    First approach from this direction. Well done. Love the giggle you gave me at the end.

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  29. ConnieNovember 23, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    A great poem for the photo! You made me smile...thinking about our dating years and (mentioned by Anna) post-baby time. :)

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  30. HelenaNovember 23, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    heh heh heh.......I like it....!

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  31. ChristineNovember 23, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    love that word, ix-nay, terrific magpie

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  32. AnonymousNovember 26, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    LOL - no hips

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