The Ballad of First Sight
Him
Still trapped by single life
At thirty-five years old
Decide to hook a wife
On cherished marriage show
Still live with mom and pop
Yet wait til "I do"s done
Because I'm dumb and hot
And looking for some fun.
Still smile the way her jaw
Dropped when I dropped my load
We're married now by law
She thinks that I'm a fraud
Still, go on honeymoon
Yet harps like a banshee
Regards me as baboon
'til eyes and ears do bleed
Still getting shaft back home
We're getting nowhere fast
Please give this dog a bone
Look forward not the past
Still running cold cold cold
Decision day now looms
A losing hand, I fold
A disappointed goon
Her
I've scrabbled hard for years
To get to where I am
A-counting pennies, tears
Was careful in my climb
I'm thirty-eight years old
Been single for six years
I've always lived alone
A chance for groom appears
The gurus crunch our bios
Discourse on who will match
Bio-psycho-socials
Where each will get a catch
To put my trust in sage
I cast my instincts out
A lesson to be learned
A sharp rap on the snout
He looks a god at altar
A genii if you will
But afterwards I falter
The twist that makes me ill
We honeymoon in hope
His monkey on my back
That claws its tired trope
And scars my rigid ack
I have started binge-watching a Netflix show called, “Married at First Sight.” It’s brand new to me but it must have been on a network for 17 previous seasons as this is season 18. It has a mind-boggling 28 episodes to it and each episode is between an hour and 90 minutes! The format it uses is the 3 experts, a couple of psychologists and a pastor, picking from many dossiers of possible contestants to settle on 5 couples that they think would be compatible as life partners. These people meet their spouse on the wedding day. They go on a honeymoon, then come back to the real world of Chicago, which is where this season is set. After 30 days there is a big check in with the experts. At the 60 day mark they decide whether they still want to be married to each other. I’m at about the halfway point so far. The 2-part ballad shows things from what I imagine being each of their perspectives.
Björn is today’s host of dVerse’ Meeting the Bar. Björn wants us to write a ballad and says you may choose any type of feet. You will get extra points for writing it with anapests. As for rhyme scheme you may either rhyme it as x-a-x-a or as a-b-a-b.
Tao-Talk 
I’ve seen some episodes of that show. Can’t say I like it, I do love your ballad, though Li!
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It’s definitely entertaining and they have to be gutsy to put themselves out there like that. Thanks so much, CA.
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Great scenario ballad — really enjoyed it and the rhythm 👏
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Lesley thanks! It surely is a scenario and add 4 others for this season.
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Lisa, hmmm sounds like the unperfect match…Ive never seen that show but it sounds like it good get addicting fast! Great idea and well crafted. 🩷
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Cara, it is the most in-depth show I’ve ever seen. There’s a lot more to it than I mention here. Thank you for the kind words.
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I’ll give it a watch! Ha! TY Lisa!
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It’s a commitment for sure.
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Must have a look. What a crazy format for a show.
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Judy, beware, it is addictive!!!!! But OH so good.
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I can’t get it evidently…
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I’m reading in your book that you can get DVDs from a library there? Maybe they have it? (I’m about halfway through the book, taking my time.)
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Is it holding your interest?
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I think I’m on E19 now, just before “Decision Day” where they decide whether they want to stay married or get divorced. I can’t quit now! ;) I actually find the show to be compelling and addictive.
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Ha.. I meant is my book holding your interest….;o)
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Oops! Yes it is. I think you should market it to people considering moving to Mexico. So many valuable details about what to expect. Do think things are still relevant to the present day in the book?
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A great pair of ballads, Lisa. I have seen this some time back and cannot imagine trying to find common ground having never seen each other before!
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Dwight, I’m glad you understand how in-depth the show is. I think “the experts” did better with some matches than others. I totally agree that visuals and chemistry are vital to feeling the click. I do think patience is #1 after the wedding.
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I can’t imagine how frustrating it must be to start a marriage with no prior preparation or connection.
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This does not sound like a match made in heaven… have to admit I’ve never watched that show (a Swedish version exist too) and I can only see failure.
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It’s entertainment at best but also painful to watch at times. Of the 5 couples, 2 seem to be working together fairly well. 40% isn’t a winning percentage. Yet here we are at season 18!
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Interesting- his and hers story.
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Thanks, Sadje. The only thing any of the 10 people in this season had in common to start was getting married. That’s what keeps it so interesting, to see how they act to further their wish come true.
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That is interesting, indeed
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I’ve never watched this series, not my cup of tea, but your ballad of first sight has summed it up beautifully. I love the way you split it into the two perspectives. The phrase ‘decide to hook a wife’ says a lot about the male speaker, and I can see why he’s still on his own in his thirties! And she is definitely better off on her own.
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Kim, this series is not my usual viewing choice either, but curiosity got me watching, and you know what they say about that lol. My eyes are tired from binging it. The drama is off the charts!
I do like all of the Chicago city shots and they are going out to various places in the city which is interesting also.
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Lisa, I am not familar with the show, but it sounds like your Ballad of First Sight here certainly sums up the dynamics at play very well.
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Thanks, Bruce. It is a trip.
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i view Netflix, but i haven’t come across that series.
Enjoyed your ballad
much love
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Gillena, only Season 18 is on Netflix and I think the rest were broadcast on Lifetime Channel (not positive but I think so.) Glad you enjoyed the ballad.
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My goodness gracious! This is funny, classic ~ everything I’m certain the binge watching offered. Now, I want to watch ~ I trust your judgement, Lisa.
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ha ha, it is entertaining but it is much more. Amazing it’s been on TV for 18 seasons and I never heard of it until now. If you watch it really hoping you share your thoughts.
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I don’t know this show, but I loved your ballad. Two points of view are key!
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Thanks much, Sara. Indeed!
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Reality Show Poet. I can see the tv execs calling now. 😂 Good poem especially after I read the explanation after.
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Stew, I’ve finished watching the season and could fill a chapbook with my impressions. “What a sh*t show.” responded one of the “spouses” when asked to describe the season. Never again!
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I can imagine. LOL I watched a bit of 90 day fiance when it came out. Same sort of premise sounds like. Definitely not my sort of thing.
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