Hapless

[grant hayes]

Deleted

[The second]

OMG I think you looked into my mirror on this one dear Hayes.

[John Wertz]

Toad -hop jumps out as the perfect and surprising image.

[grant hayes]

Funny you should pick that out, John, because it was the germ of the whole piece.

[grant hayes]

Perhaps I am the third to your second ☺

[AlexandratheLate]

Grant this spoke to me too.

[grant hayes]

Thank you for reading, Alexandra.

[MHenry]

Grant, I see an errant knight in chinkled shining armor, with visions of jousting eloquence haunted by the demons of ineptitude.
An enchanting and entrancing middle ages damsel in distress story, Maestro Grant (as interpreted by this dull-witted, bat-blinded reader)!

[grant hayes]

You've pretty much nailed it, MHenry. It stems from real life, and in the penultimate draft there were a couple of words that situated it in a contemporary setting. I decided that it would be easy to turn it into a more timeless tale by changing those couple of words. Now, as you have observed, it could depict the motivations of a mediaeval knight errant as easily as someone from today.

[RhymeLovingWriter]

Grant, if you can't soothe the savage breast with words (and I'm betting you CAN) - then perhaps set it to music and sing her a tune - that's supposed to work wonders. Seriously - I too thought of a knight in shining armor when reading this - gallant Grant - well penned!

[grant hayes]

Rhymist, I'm not great with that kind of soothing speech, or with music. My spoken voice is flat, halting, and ponderous, and is best heard minimally. I've found that chocolate can sometimes work wonders, but to help significantly with the really major predicaments in life, a certain resourcefulness and confidence is required of the would-be chevalier. When those are lacking, one is left to beg heaven, ardently. It may be that eloquent tongues or commanding sceptres will manifest, in some form. But even if they don't, a strength from above is needed to go down fighting, as it were.

[RhymeLovingWriter]

Chocolate indeed is a good start. Sometimes all that is needed is time and a willingness to stand strong beside the one in need. The strength is found in being present - not in the word (or song). Good luck (and a prayer of my own because that's what I do).

[grant hayes]

I appreciate that, Rhymist. I never say no to a prayer.