dVerse Q237 — ZFG

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ZFG

She used to say it
when corrected,
criticized,
warned,
reminded,
advised,
otherwise suggested;
as a child,
a teen,
adult;
as a mother,
employee,
partner;
from a friend,
sometimes an enemy,
a cop,
a government:

“I give zero fucks.”

And she did as she pleased.

Melissa Lemay is today’s host of dVerse’ Quadrille Monday. Melissa wants us to write a 44-word poem using the word zero. This poem is written with my mother in mind. She passed away a few years ago. She was a crusty old bird. I miss her.

63 Comments Add yours

  1. I love that your poem gives us a glimpse of your mother. And hah! I love that you incorporated the “I give zero fucks!” I feel that way many a day.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Melissa, at the end my mom was weak and helpless. I used to get peeved at her attitude from her earlier days, but I wish she were still here with her ZFG.

      Like

  2. kim881's avatar kim881 says:

    A great portrait of your mother, Lisa, a ‘crusty old bird’, eh! I love her chutzpah.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Helen's avatar Helen says:

      I cannot even estimate how many times I’ve said this or some iteration of it!! Therefore I am in love with your quadrille.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

        Helen, I can see you doing just that <3 Sometimes it needs to be said. Thanks.

        Like

    2. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Mama didn’t play! I think part of the reason we butted heads so much was a combination of me trying to change her — and me being so much like her. Kim thanks for reading and for your comment <3

      Liked by 2 people

      1. kim881's avatar kim881 says:

        My pleasure, Lisa.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Sometimes, it’s the best medecine.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      She used it with good timing and great panache.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      p.s. nice to see you, Ken!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. rog's avatar rog says:

    what a wonderful attitude to have great poem

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Rog, I think you would have loved my mom. She was a rare one. They don’t make them like her anymore.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Dwight, thanks :)

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Gillena Cox's avatar Gillena Cox says:

    Seems sve knew exactly who she was, not needing other’s opinions

    much♡love

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      YES SHE DID. Good call, Gillena. <3

      Like

  6. Truedessa's avatar Truedessa says:

    Enjoyed her spunk….something one just has to say it!

    Ps love your snow falling down the page….a storm is moving in the area tomorrow 4-8 on the way.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Truedessa, yes it does. Snow falling down the page?? Did I tweak a setting somewhere? It’s really coming down now. Good thing I got what was there cleared out. Went out and got more gas also, so I’m all set. Hoping you have what you need to get through the storm.

      Like

  7. Your late mum certainly announced her agency. Respect!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Thanks so much. Yes, she did!

      Like

  8. Ron.'s avatar Ron. says:

    With each passing day, the fewer Fs I give… Nice work, Li

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      I hear you. Thanks, Ron.

      Like

  9. subversopus's avatar subversopus says:

    I echo this sentiment, well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Tigress, I believe you <3

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Haha, yes – a common saying.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. I love this poem so much, Lisa. 💟

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      :) Glad you do, Colleen.

      Like

  12. Dale's avatar Dale says:

    This is fantabulous, Lisa. Your mother had great ‘tude!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Oh yes, she sure did back in the day. Thank you, Dale.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. bruce@ssa's avatar bruce@ssa says:

    Lisa, my mother morphed into this attitude as she got older, and it was a nice to see her enjoy life more by shedding a lot of unnecessary “caring” about perceptions and attitudes. Did her own thing, and became a truly pure, independent soul.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Bruce, thank you for sharing that about your mom. I’m happy she was able to shed that stuff and reach that state before the end.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Imelda's avatar Imelda says:

    Your character here is the opposite of Bjorn’s, the way I see it. It is good to have a backbone. I think this is a good tribute to your mom.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Imelda, I appreciate your insights on the poem <3

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Oh how I wish I had been more like her Li. ZFG!!! It took me a lifetime to get there and now I am so close 🤣

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      I’m glad you got there, which is what matters I think.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. There’s a lot to be said for living life as one pleases.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Carol anne's avatar Carol anne says:

    Lol Li this is awesome! Your right, don’t give zero fucks about anyone, just do you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Well, I wouldn’t put it exactly like that, but thanks!

      Like

  18. jaerose37's avatar jaerose37 says:

    I love your spirit! Jae

    Liked by 1 person

  19. That is the rigt attitude

    Liked by 1 person

  20. poetisatinta's avatar poetisatinta says:

    Love this Lisa – your mother sounds like she was a force to be reckoned with 🙌

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Ange, while she gave ZF, at the same time, telling her no was part of the package. She was a force of nature :)

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Steve's avatar Steve says:

    Great use of the theme word, Lisa!

    Liked by 1 person

  22. lisaapaul's avatar lisaapaul says:

    I love this. Your mother sounds like such a cool, confident person who knew what she believed and what she wanted. She has my respect!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Lisa she was her own person, and as frustrating as she could be because of it, I admire her. Thanks very much. I hope she can see your comment from heaven. She would be smiling <3

      Liked by 1 person

  23. erbiage's avatar erbiage says:

    ha!

    great take on the prompt! I wonder how that works for her though

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Eric, that’s a very good question. Thank you so much for going beyond the surface.

      Like

  24. merrildsmith's avatar merrildsmith says:

    I think you’ve made everyone fall for your mother, Li! The woman in this poem would be the main character in a movie or book, and we’d all be rooting for her.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      <3 What a nice thing to say, Merril. Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. merrildsmith's avatar merrildsmith says:

        You’re very welcome, Li! 💙

        Liked by 1 person

  25. I can imagine it would be sometimes frustrating to hear this when offering good advice.

    Great write 👏

    Liked by 2 people

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