My mother's hospitality's been legend all her life <br />and my father as a host was second only to his wife <br />but some things are not inherited so, love them as I may, <br />I tell my friends the rules of the house <br />whenever they come to stay. <br /> <br />You're welcome here three days as a guest, <br />if you want to stay for more <br />you've got to vacuum and dust and do the dishes <br />and mop the kitchen floor. <br />If you're thinking of staying as long as a week, <br />I feel obliged to mention <br />that the oven's due for cleaning <br />and the bathroom needs attention. <br />If you'd hoped to stay eight days or more, <br />I'm sure you wouldn't mind <br />some window washing, <br />and the carpet needs shampooing, <br />if you'd be so kind. <br />A ten days' stay calls for shopping and cooking <br />and polishing the silverware <br />and a bit of roofing and some plumbing work <br />and the odd electrical repair. <br /> <br />If you've got to be going, it's been good to see you. <br />I always enjoy your stays. <br />When they're short, they're sweet. <br />Come back next year <br />and you're wecome to stay three days.<br /><br />Linda Stitt<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/fish-and-company/
