Okay, so this isn’t exactly a Poetry Friday post.
It’s a, “Guess what my daughters and I did last Friday?” post.
And it’s a, “Let’s talk about the magic and poetry of a perfect movie” post.
I know you’ve heard of The Princess Bride.
And you’ve heard of Cary Elwes, who dashingly played the dashing and devoted Westley in that Rob Reiner* masterpiece.
Perhaps you’ve even heard that ten years ago, Elwes wrote a book (As You Wish) and that he sometimes tours to promote it. The show is called “An Inconceivable Evening” and it opens with a showing of the movie. The audience is then treated to an hour-+-ish of storytelling from Elwes (in conversation with a moderator.)
So, once upon a time (last Friday) three beautiful maidens (my daughters) and a queen (me) agreed that four women who’ve had crushes** on Cary/Westley for as long as any of them can remember should indubitably journey to the land of giants, pirates, princesses, and Mandy Patinkin. (Oh, if only he’d been there in person too, my joy would have been complete!)
It was an evening of charming stories, laughter, delight, and — ohmygosh, I didn’t know I would tear up and cry so much! — affection and emotion. I’ve loved A Princess Bride for decades. I’ve loved sharing it with my daughters. I’ve loved saying, "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” I’ve loved incessantly talking, thinking about, and rewatching a film that, at its heart, embodies true love in all its forms.
So, when I first asked my girls if they wanted to accompany me to a belated birthday celebration involving all of the above, imagine my joy when their response was:
“As you wish.”
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The Poetry Friday round-up this week is being hosted by Carol Labuzzetta
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*May that dear man, that compassionate soul, rest in peace.
**Speaking of crushes, my main crush, the one I have on the man I married, endures.
The other day, I was being (at least I thought) difficult. I later texted Atticus to say,
“I’m sorry I’m so hard to live with.”
“You’re not hard to live with,” he returned, “and you’d be impossible to live without.”
What a storybook story response. (Cary/Westley who?!)
We’ve not been without our fireswamps over the years,
but we’ve had fun storming the castle.

What a story, Karen! Loved it! And it is Poetry, because Life IS poetry!
ReplyDeleteYes, Carol, so true!
DeleteSounds like a wonderful time, Karen! What fun. Myself, I always found the movie enjoyable, but pale in comparison to the book, which I first read, and loved and loved, when I was very very young — I still have my girlhood copy😊
ReplyDeleteLove this post -- even though I've never seen Princess Bride (shocking, I know!). Atticus gave you the PERFECT response. Also love the "As you wish" response from beautiful princess daughters. :)
ReplyDeleteKaren, such a wonderful experience to have with your daughters! Whether there is a poem in there or not, it sounded magical:) I have yet to see the Princess Bride and you're another person to inspiring me to see it!
ReplyDelete* elli, you are right, the book is definitely its own original vibe!
ReplyDelete* Jama and Jill, you must, you must! :D Thanks for sharing the magic, and if you see the movie, let me know if the magic translates to someone who is seeing it for the first time in 2026. :)
So fun! I think I know all the words to the movie. My mom actually read me the book, I was probably sick when she started! :) Ben and I are celebrating our anniversary today (our 34th!)
ReplyDeleteTabatha, SO fitting that you mom read the book when you were sick. ;) Yes, lots of us were doing lines along with the movie.
DeleteHappy Anniversary to you and Ben! Huzzah for 34 years! Nothing can stop true love! :) ❤️
So -- maybe because I raised boys (???), I confess to never having seen the movie. But I know a major crush when I hear/read one and in celebration of the J0Y you exude for The Princess Bride, but moreso for Atticus, I commit to scheduling a viewing (hopefully with my daughters-in-law who I think will indulge me). You are a delight, Karen!
ReplyDeletePatricia, it's so funny that so many of you haven't seen it! I think of it as a universal commonality, lol. I'm guessing boys would have liked it? (But what do I know about raising boys??) If you watch it, you'll have to stop back and let me know what you think. All my quotes (As you wish, Inconceivable, Hello, my name is ..., True Love, Storybook Story, Have fun stormin' the castle!) will make much more sense. :D And right back atcha on the delight!
DeleteA delightful post, Karen replete with all those wonderful references to the movie and your very own real life connections. The Princess Bride is a universal favourite and like you I have replayed regular quotes from the movie across the years. It has always helped me avoid the pit of despair...
ReplyDeleteYes, stay far from the pit of despair, and let’s not even talk about The Machine. :D Thanks, Alan!
DeleteOh, swoon! Sounds you've truly found a real prince charming!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun and loving post, thanks Karen! ☺️
ReplyDeleteI love that movie! It's one of the few (along with The Grinch and Shrek and Secondhand Lions) that I could watch over and over again on repeat!
ReplyDeleteYou are a fantastic storyteller, btw!!
Karen, this is a love story in every direction! LOVE your husband's response. I'd say get his response engraved on a bracelet but I imagine it's already engraved on your heart. Haha! Also love, "we've had fun storming the castle."
ReplyDelete*Jane, I’m a lucky commoner to have found such a prince. :)
ReplyDelete* Thanks, Michelle!
* Mary Lee, thanks so much! And oooh, Secondhand Lions — I haven’t seen that gem in a long time. Need to add it to the watchlist!
* Mona — “…already engraved on your heart.” Happy sigh. Yes. Thanks for coming by!
Late to this Princess Bride party, Karen, but I LOVE this post! Our whole extended family can quote just about every line, I think. And all those actors (and bless the ones who have gone on) seem like such wonderful humans, too. What a fabulous memory-making excursion for you all!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robyn! Our family and yours could have a quotefest! :D
DeleteAw, sweet, Karen! All of it. Do you know I've never seen "The Princess Bride?" I must remedy that, along with "Casblanca" and "Citizen Kane," among others.
ReplyDeleteYou must see it, Susan, you must! :) I fell for Casablanca when I was 17 years old — a local theater regularly showed old black-and-white classics and I adored them. I must confess that although I’ve seen Citizen Kane, it didn’t stick with me the way many other movies have, despite its reputation as one of the greats. :)
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