Death by Lamingtons and Tea.

Glory and Nobility will appear in your spirit,
They are the two gems that only the wise will inherit,
They come when you are standing in the middle of the road,
And this wretched life seems to be far too much of a load.
Beyond all you can smile seeing, the end in sight.
And they shine like a wonderous lighthouse in the dark night.
Glory is knowing that even if God doesn’t exist,
He should exist, and blind faith in him will always persist.
Nobility is taking joy in this task either way.
For the alternative is a darkness beyond the day.

Samuel Strife lived with his Mother in a quiet home,
Even though he was forty-two he didn’t want to roam,
She maintained a pleasant house close to the end of Strife Street,
It was named after her husband who once owned it complete.
Samuel and Mum lived in the old house but hardly spoke.
On Sunday Mrs Strife would invite some of the church folk,
She was famous for her delightful Lamingtons and Tea,
Asking a single lady to attend the company,
Who was a member of  the Episcopalian Church.
It was no secret that she was part of Mrs Strife’s search,
For a female match with her son before it was too late,

This Sunday it was Isabel Thorne who was invited.
Alone when the invitation came she was delighted,
Isabel was a lady who was recently divorced.
Samuel was not very interested in her and was forced,
To sit and listen to polite genteel conversation.
It was a sad torture like a life without narration,

Mrs Strife always served her famous lamingtons and tea.
This Sunday Lunch Isabel asked her for the recipe.
“What is the secret to the lamington?” asked Isabel.
Samuel put his hands over his head to fly from Hell.
Mrs Strife took great delight in explaining her method.
She was taught by her Mother and there was no skill needed.

“Well to make a good lamington you need a light sponge cake.
Size and shape will depend on how many you want to make.
You will need to freeze the sponge and prepare for the slicing.
Now develop a thick coating of chocolate and icing.”

Isabel who did her own baking herself was very impressed.
Sadly the purpose of the luncheon was all but suppressed.
Samuel offered to walk her home. It was just a short trip.
He made it clear he was not up for a relationship.

He walked back towards his own house and noticed something odd,
The good people of Strife street were under an act of God.
In fact there seemed to be only old women all alone.
And now for the first time he felt the cold right to the bone.

At number 33 Mrs Jacobs called him over,
Her front lawn was not mowed and covered in weeds and clover.

“You are Samuel Strife are you not? I have seen you around.
To meet people we often have to be bold  I have found.
I wonder if you would come over to my humble place,
I would love to serve some Lamingtons and tea with God’s grace?”
Samuel turned and trudged toward the dead end of the street.
He feel down a few times and could hardly stand on his feet.

He recalled what he was told him about the dark final view.
It is filled with disappointment with no Sun in the blue.
“Avoid eye contact with old Grimstone she lives near the end,
She will be pleasant and polite and try to be your friend,
And you will be tempted in to block out past misery,
But she will serve you stale lamingtons and poisoned tea.”