Reply #5: I've told this story here before... but it's one of my favorites.

[MiddleFingerMom]

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In college, I won this annual poetry competition. First prize consisted of a $25 check (big money
for almost all college students) and, more importantly... I was the featured poet at their annual
big poetry reading on campus.
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My best friend was my English Lit prof, who told me to "behave" myself... as the Dean of Arts &
Sciences (her boss) would be there.
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She should have KNOWN better than to say that.
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Much later, I realized that she probably DID know better and was just inspiring me to reach new
depths.
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I was the final reader. I shuffled my papers at the podium for much longer than should have been
necessary, finally looked up and said (in my most POMPOUS poetry-reading voice), "There ONCE...
was a MAN... from NanTUCKET!!!!" I looked down, started shuffling the papers again, looked up and
said, "Sorry -- wrong poem."
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Laughter. My friend was in the back of the room with her face in her hands. I could not have
planned for anything as good as what happened next.
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The Dean of Arts & Sciences raised his hand from the middle of the room and shouted, "I know THAT one!!!"
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Beauty.
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