I was the oldest of four kids. My two brothers, Billy and Ken were three and five years younger than me, and so I never was that close to either one growing up. They fought like cats and dogs, and I was usually the referee. Billy was constantly terrorizing Ken by any and every means he could come up with; Mom was constantly admonishing Billy to stop aggravating his little brother; and Ken was constantly yelling to Mom, “Mom! Billy’s aggravatin’!” This poem is typical of a summer day, and the way things were back then.
He’s Aggravatin’!
Mom’s in her room taking a nap
Me, I’m just trying to stay cool
It’s a hundred and ten in the shade
I wish we had a swimmin’ pool
Little brothers are getting restless
A long summer with nothing to do
I smell the trouble in the air
Happens daily with these ornery two
It erupts without warning or word
The older one runs from the house
Little guy hot on his tail
Like a cat being chased by a mouse
Door slams, mom leaps from her bed
I stick my head out and give a shrug
She frowns and stands by the back door
And waits for her two little thugs
True to form they come busting in
Now yelling and shouting damnations
When they spot Mom, little one shouts
Hey, Mom! He’s aggravatin’!
Mom can’t hide the smile
As she takes them each by an ear
Says seven words that will stop a young heart
Just wait ‘til your father gets here
And so the excitement is over
I watch as they stare and stew
Knowing as the house grows quiet
Won’t be long ‘til round number two
Copyright © 1998 C. Mashburn
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Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 
brian miller said
ha i grew up with a brother and a sister…my sister was the trouble maker and never got in trouble…it killed me…as the oldest i was always the one that was supposed to be the example….i appreciate your poem…and i might even find myself in it some days…my cousin would have been the other cohort though…smiles.
charlesmashburn said
My sister stayed out of the whole mess. I remember her in a few squabbles early on, but I think she saw the wisdom in laying low when it came to the two little thugs.
Thanks for the visit and comment, Brian!
Jody Collins said
Charles, I am the oldest of 5 kids….I remember a lot of ’round two’s’ with my own brothers. This brought a lot of smiles.
Thank you for sharing.
charlesmashburn said
I’ll bet you have some stories to tell. I sure do!
Thanks for the visit and comment, Jody!
Mary said
I enjoyed this slice of your childhood, Charles, and can picture what it must have been like. I also commend you on writing a poem with rhyme! Yes, those seven words can work magic…for a while. . I had a sister who was 9 years younger and actually we were close to one another despite the age difference. Maybe enough age difference not to compete ever in the same arena. I experience these ’round one and round two’ things with two grandchildren 4 years apart. If one isn’t doing the aggravating, the other one does. Thus I also know firsthand of what you speak!
charlesmashburn said
Some things never change. I’m quite sure the same battles are going on somewhere as we speak.
Thanks for the visit and comment, Mary!
Daydreamertoo said
Haha… there were six of us in our house. It was true chaos at times. This really made me chuckle.
charlesmashburn said
I’m glad I could start you day with a laugh!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
ManicDdaily said
Ha–very charming–the end especially! Recalls another age. K.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
kaykuala said
Grew up in a big family too, Charles! I can relate to some episodes there. At other times you form alliances with those you can get along with. That would put a damper for a while but just! Beautiful verse!
Hank
charlesmashburn said
There were no alliances in this one, Hank. I was removed enough in age to be able to view from above, so to speak.
Thanks for the visit and comment!
Sherrie Theriault said
There are many joys to being an only child, no broken toys, no hair pulling, no fussing and NO AGGRAVATIN………great write, my friend!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Sherrie! I hope your day is going good!
jesusmyjoy said
wonderful job..love this
charlesmashburn said
Thank you! I’m glad you like it!
hedgewitch said
Yep, I was the oldest too, and had not only to referee but to cart around with me everywhere my two much younger sisters, who of course were considered by me to be a constant embarrassment. This is hilarious, and very true to life, Charles.
charlesmashburn said
Yes’m, I bet there are lot’s of us out there with similar stories to tell.
Thanks for the visit and comment!
vivinfrance said
Your poor Mum! My two would sometimes fight, and I’d say “I don’t want to know. Sort it out amongst yourselves.” Then they’d gang up on me!
They’re still very close at nearly 50.
charlesmashburn said
That’s the good thing, Viv; in most cases, the fightin and fuedin don’t carry into adulthood.
Thanks for the visit and comment!
Victoria C. Slotto said
Poor mom, poor sister. What fun memories. I do feel deprived that I had no brothers.
charlesmashburn said
Now that you mention it, my sister (about a year younger then me) stayed in her room, or at friends’ house a lot. Out of the line of fire.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Victoria!
Wander said
this was a fun little romp through memory lane. I have two older step brothers and a sister. I could very much see this happening…
Thanks for coming by my place it is always nice to see a comment from you!
Wander
charlesmashburn said
Thanks to you, too! Yes, the story is familiar to many of us!
claudia said
haha..thanks for taking us back to your childhood…brought back some memories for me as well.. but somehow…what hit me most in here was…A long summer with nothing to do.. wasn’t it so boring, those long, hot summers…but honestly…just now…i wish nothing more than being right back in one of those hot, long summers…and i would enjoy every minute…ha
charlesmashburn said
Funny you should say that, Claudia; Sherry and I were talking yesterday about how lucky we were to have grown up in small town America in the late 50s/early 60s. My childhood was not a rose garden by any means, but I have awesome memories of the good times. And those long hot “boring” summers are right there at the top of the memory pile!
wordcoaster said
This made me smile–it reminds me of my two younger sisters. And the appeal to the father certainly held power in my house 🙂
charlesmashburn said
An appeal to the father was not a consideration in our house, but I can certainly understand where you’re coming from.
Thanks for the visit and comment!
Indigo said
Love this, rings of earlier memories for me.
I grew up the oldest of six, there was a whole house full of ‘aggravatin’.
(Hugs)Indigo
charlesmashburn said
Yes, lots of nostalgia for brothers and sisters in this little write!
Thanks for the visit and comment, Indigo!
Chazinator said
Love the poem. Though I didn’t have brothers, I did have friends who were just as crazy as these guys. Your poem is exicting and happy and I found it refreshing, reminding me of my best friend and his brother and how they used to fight. Your intro certainly does give us the real life that was happening while the events you describe occurred. I wonder how all of these events go into describing you and how you relate to life now?
charlesmashburn said
My childhood–some of it very bad, and some of it very good–has a lot to do with who I am now.
Glad you liked this one, Charles, and I appreciate the great comment!
terri0729 said
LOLOL! Ain’t that the truth! Nice one, Charlie! The dreaded “wait ’til your dad gets home” strikes fear in a young heart, for a minute or two anyway 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Terri! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Sherry Mashburn said
I enjoyed this slice of life . . . there’s 7 years between my brother and me, and we pretty much went our separate ways.