Written for dVerse Quadrille #237 – Zero.
Our host, Melissa, from Mom With A Blog,
invites us to create a poem of exactly 44 words
using the word “zero”. This is my quadrille.
He found her texts.
All of them.
She acted sorry.
His flat concrete voice
said ‘enough’.
She had a hundred chances;
now she gets zero.
He walked past
her reaching hands,
her manufactured tears,
her poison mouth.
The door didn’t slam.
It simply closed.
NAR©2025
44 Words
This is “I Don’t Care Anymore’” by Phil Collins
All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
Sometimes the path of least resistance is best.
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Very true, Melissa. Gotta choose your battles.
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Excellent, Nancy!
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Thanks so much, Lisa. Her time is over!
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Many ancient civilizations didn’t have a concept for zero being a number.
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I did not know that. Interesting.
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An accountant figured out the concept of zero as a way of balancing his books when a debt was paid and nothing more was owed.
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Just as the song said, he didn’t care any more. Excellent, Nancy.
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And he knew when to fold ’em! Thanks, dear Keith.
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And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love…
she ends up with nothing, he has firm, quiet resolve and a great song to escort him out of an empty house.
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That line is my email signature and has been since my first computer. Perfect synopsis of my poem. Thanks, Liz.
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The End. Nicely done, Nance.
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Thanks Jodi. End it with as little bloodshed as possible. That’s the only way.
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Croc tears! Not really sorry, just sorry she got caught.
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Her MO and he’s done. Thanks, D.
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Very good story Nancy.
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Thank you, Sadje. I’m delighted to know you liked it.
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You are most welcome dear friend
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Short and sweet
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Kill it before it spreads! It’s the only way, Ernie.
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👍😁😁
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Strong words. Short and staccato. Excellent, Nancy.
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Thanks very much, Esther. It’s the only way to deal with people like this because they will just continue to manipulate the relationship. I’m glad you enjoyed. my poem.
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Great take Nancy 🙌
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Thank you, Ange. It’s time to put out the trash.
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🙌
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The finality!
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Good word, Rosemary! It’s the only way to deal with cheaters like her. Thank you.
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what an excellent Quadeille… Perfectly expressed in so few words. 💜
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Thanks so much, Willow. It’s time to take out the garbage!
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definatelyb💜
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