The Promised Poem

The Mystery Reader’s Lament

There’s laundry that’s wet in the washer; it finished an hour ago.

But Kinsey has put on her little black dress, so my housekeeping’s bound to be slow.

You can’t beat a tough country lawman, and Walt Longmire’s been through a lot.

I guess I won’t get to the Macy’s Day Sale, ’cause poor Walt is about to get shot!

My doctor expects me this morning, and the roadways are slushy with snow,

But Reacher is in such a terrible mess! How he gets out—I just have to know.

I can’t be a brilliant forensic, a Gil or a Kay or a Bones,

But I can encourage their efforts (and even their lesser-known clones).

My family and friends sometimes chide me. I don’t get a lot done, it’s true.

Just blame all those authors who write crime so well: I’ve got too much reading to do!

Peg Herring, 2011