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Attendants

Attendants

Attendants once were happy in the ancient mansion 
Made of sand and granite by the cliff
How fortuitous to be employed in these harsh times
Tending to the mundane chores and sober orders
The rule of life for functionaries is to fulfill the reasonable requests
I guess things must have changed in history between the shadows
The help demand more benefits and pay
My servants used to bring me, one vitamin for breakfast
Champagne or absinthe were always there to wash it down
I had one worker for each arm and leg
The four of them became uniquely useless
So what if I forgot their names and birthdays
They still get paid and have definable obligations
Incongruities and inconsistencies will not be tolerated
Attendants are attendants one and the same
Now they play all day
Overlook the cliff at ships and crashing waves below
Sometimes all four gather shells down there and swim the shallows
Or gather pine cones to throw around into tomorrow
In their spare time they take me out like trash
One of them on each arm and leg and toss me in the yard
Being old and feeble I cannot walk or get around myself
I get by on rain water and bugs that happen by
The servants have taken over the old gray mansion
They copulate inside and left me here to die

 Entered Contest on - 12/05/14 - "ONE OF YOUR BEST" - Poetry contest

absenceabuseagebetrayalculturefree verse

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Dr.Ram Mehta

January 20, 2015 at 5:41 AM

Thought provoking write, congrats on he win, Earl

Earl Schumacker

January 20, 2015 at 11:06 AM

Hi Dr. Mehta. Thanks! I enjoyed your winning poem as well. Have a great day. Earl

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

January 19, 2015 at 11:17 PM

Glad that i read this marvel of urs Earl! Congrats on big win!

Earl Schumacker

January 20, 2015 at 3:30 AM

Good morning Dr. Sharma, Thank you so much for your kind words. I am glad that you enjoyed it. It is one of my personal favorites. Have a great day. Take care. Earl

Brenda Meier-Hans

January 19, 2015 at 2:52 PM

Glad you chose this poem Earl so I could read it again. Congratulations on your win.

Earl Schumacker

January 19, 2015 at 3:32 PM

Hi Brenda, Thank you so much. I enjoyed your winning poem also. Have a wonderful day. Earl

Jan Allison

December 1, 2014 at 1:32 PM

This is very deep and dark Earl master and servants - I wonder who is happiest? Great descriptive write:-) Hugs jan xxx

Jan Allison

December 1, 2014 at 1:54 PM

I would hate to be either party in your poem lol:-) Hugs jan xx

Earl Schumacker

December 1, 2014 at 1:52 PM

Hi Jan. Thank you. I think the 4 copulators are happier because they have an activity. The old man eats bugs. That can't be fun. I hope you enjoyed it. I simply wanted to create an image that touches on the rich and poor of the world. In reality both have their struggles. We call it the "human condition." Have a wonderful day. Earl

Eve Roper

November 30, 2014 at 6:28 PM

A 7, Earl, well penned & imagery Blessings eve

Earl Schumacker

November 30, 2014 at 6:35 PM

Hi Eve, Sorry about that. I got distracted while writing to Brenda and sent you her msg. I appreciate your kind words and encouragement. I am glad you liked my poem. Thank you so much Eve. Take care. Earl

Earl Schumacker

November 30, 2014 at 6:29 PM

Hi Brenda, Thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was fun to write. I have the "Martha and Gracie" poem coming out tomorrow. It is a little stranger, perhaps a little more sardonic than this one but still amusing. Have a great night. Thanks again. Earl