DEAR ABBY: You were right when you said that the doggerel written in response to the poem honoring mothers-in-law would raise eyebrows -- but not the way you expected it to.
I'm not a mother-in-law objecting to this doggerel as poking fun at all good mother-in-laws around the world. I am a man. I'm not here to rush to the defense of the decent men who don't behave in ways the doggerel described. However, my eyebrow arched at the implied message that his behavior might be suitable grounds for divorce. While the daughter-in-law's outlook may be tongue-in-cheek, I think you'll like the way this poem states my point in the same spirit. -- ROBERT FERDINAND JR., FRIDLEY, MINN.
DEAR ROBERT: You are a talented as well as sensible man. You're right; I do like the way you make a point. Read on:
CAN WE TALK, HONEY?
(A Mother-in-Law Responds)
You told him "I do," and I once gave you credit
For thinking it through, Dear --
BEFORE you had said it.
You judge him as shiftless and lazy,
So be it!
Yet he lived his life out
Where the whole world could see it!
So how did he fool you?
I'd like to know why
You could give every foible
Of his the blind eye.
Was that any way to go choosing a mate,
With your hormones so raging
You couldn't think straight?
Or was it the lure of his six-digit pay
That convinced you to take him,
And change him someday?
But it hasn't worked out
In the way you had planned.
Now you're hoping to dump him
And see him unmanned.
Yes, you sound quite dramatic
But I won't lose heart!
'Cause the problem is YOURS, Dear --
'Til death do you part!