Performances

Sugar Cone Kelly, one bright summer day,
feeling his taste buds had something to say,
sidled to Handles Ice Cream Eatery,
hoping that he could get ice cream for free.

Sugar Cone walked to the window alone,
hangdog expression, his shirt a two-tone,
said to the black-haired girl, thin as chopsticks,
“I am in need of a Rocky Road fix.”

Kelly’s eyes gleamed as the girl gave a grin:
“Radiant beauty in one who’s within.”
She at the Handles’ bar blushed rosy hue;
“Do you want one scoop or would you like two?”

Sugar Cone leaned in, he kept his voice low;
“You are a sight Heaven’s angels would know.”
She who was blushing, then taken aback,
picked up the ice-cream scoop, ready to smack.

Kelly perceived in the eyes of the girl
onset of winter where Arctic winds swirl.
Still he persisted in hopes of a spring;
Rocky Road gratis today was the thing!

Sugar Cone joked yet no matter the tact,
she who was young thought that Sugar had cracked.
Kelly then two-stepped as patrons gave ground;
(some looked to see if white coats were around.)

There was a stir in the Handles’ estate;
laughter exploded for it could not wait.
Chocolate marshmallow, strawberry pride—
some were bent over—one holding her side.

Cone broke a sweat so he wiped off his brow;
(some young Madonna opined, “Take a bow.”)
At his wits end Sugar Cone changed his dance,
thinking his poor mouthing might have a chance.

Woe is me did not affect them at all;
the boss arrived—a young girl made the call.
Sugar Cone heard it from Manager Jim;
no ice cream gratis was coming to him.

Kelly then walked away to some applause;
inside the store the young girl had some pause.
Amid the coolers and white counter light,
she was informed that she handled things right.


40 Lines
Writer’s Cramp Winner
7-22-19