Who Likes Nice?

-By Ethel Olicker 9/92.

Who likes nice?

Nice is warm ice.

.

Mothers of older sons like nice.

"I know a nice girl for you"

.

Fathers of nubile daughters like "nice".

"I want you to meet my partner's son,

such a nice boy".

.

Daughters used to reassure their mothers

"Don't worry, mama, he's a nice boy".

..

Grandmas want their grandchildren

to have friends who are nice.

.

Nice is the kiss of death

when you are burning for the flame

of life.

.

Yet nice is good to live with,

to depend on,

good in a father

or mother.

.

For those who fear a burning,

yet don't relish freezing,

caught between fire and ice,

.

Slush,

the intermediary nice

may/must suffice

This poem was mailed to me by the author after she read an interview with me in the paper that brought this to mind for her.