Artie Chokes Three For a Dollar

Complaining of his marriage for thirty-odd years
He highballed his eyeballs, comforting his tears
The barkeep asked, what's troubling you son?
He poured out his life; I'm finished! I'm done!
The woman I married has turned into a nag
What I wouldn't give to be rid of that hag
Cheer up my friend, I have what you need
I know of a man willing to do such a deed
Artie's his name, a factory blue collar
He enjoys his hobby, charging only a dollar
Introducing himself, he sat on a stool
Please dear sir, don't think me a fool
I need your help, if you're willing and able
Sliding his wife's picture across the bar table
The love we once shared is impossible to find
Everything she does drives peace from my mind
For a dollar Artie agreed to get rid of his mate
She shops Farmer's Mart tomorrow, precisely at eight
The very next morning she parked the front aisle
Artie gazed at her picture, then waited awhile
He stalked her while shopping the produce section
The near-empty store posed slight risk of detection
With a look to his left, and a quick glance to his right
He crept, then he leapt, choking with all of his might
She swooned and she swayed, crumpling to the floor
Artie mused to himself: Attention! Cleanup, aisle four
A stock boy rounded the corner, witnessing the mess
Artie likewise dispatched him, in a minute, or less
A customer screamed, seeing this deed, dark and vile
With hands around her throat, he added her to the pile
The manager called the cops, who put Artie in jail
There, he awaited trial, unable to post bail
The following day's headlines gave readers a start:
"Artie chokes three for a dollar, at local Farmer's Mart"
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Brown Avatar
November 3, 2011 at 5:21 AM
A warm welcome to PoetrySoup I offer to you Philip. I wish for you the best in your writing endeavors whatever they may be. May you find inspiration by reading some of the poetry written here by other poets. Read and comment on their's and they will return in kind. May the sun shine on you that you might find great joy in your life. Love and blessing always, Carol
Shivel Avatar
November 6, 2011 at 5:52 PM
Thanks Carol for the warm invite. It's took a little bit of time to learn how to post and make comments. I posted the same message on your Springtime in Heaven poem before I noticed how to comment properly. Enjoyed the dancing in heaven scene.
Sweetheart Avatar
November 2, 2011 at 10:13 PM
Welcome to Poetry Soup.. enjoy sharing poetry with luv..
Shivel Avatar
November 6, 2011 at 5:43 PM
Thank you Linda. Looking forward to interacting with everyone.
Smith Avatar
November 2, 2011 at 9:45 PM
Ha, ha! Very funny. Great build up, well writ.
Shivel Avatar
November 6, 2011 at 5:41 PM
Thanks John. I had fun with it.
Lane Avatar
November 2, 2011 at 7:26 PM
Oh yes you did. This was fantastic. Tony
Shivel Avatar
November 6, 2011 at 5:47 PM
Thank you Tony. I've always wanted to turn a joke into a poem. Rhyming was challenging, but enjoyable.
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