For Sale!

FOR SALE!
 
...inspired by 'The Auction' by Theodore Roethke
 
 
I woke to find confusion in my yard,
signs 'FOR SALE!' had sprouted overnight,
it seemed that people far and wide had heard
"Everything Must Go!" a frightful sight!
 
"Take Vanity," decried the auctioneer,
"Arrogance and Anger, special, two for one,
Indiscretion will look good on your chiffonier,
a box of Grief, come on, we're almost done!"
 
'Twas barely noon, my garden was a wreck,
bits of Indecision scattered here and there,
Laziness had gone, nary a speck,
no sign of Despair, no remnant anywhere.
 
Hundreds rummaged through my underwear,
like a bargain basement they were indiscreet,
they left, and there was not a thing to spare,
my soul was clean at last, my life was sweet!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008

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Mac Donald Avatar
November 16, 2008 at 7:02 AM
This is very smiley, in a profound sorta way, Keith. How difficult it is to let go of some things that make mind and heart clutter. Having a clean 'soul' is always better than trekking around with mindless baggage...it just keep getting more heavy! Love the sublime metahors, the layout, the imagery..how cleverly conceived this poem is! I'm still smiling:) Wishing you the best..God bless you and yours! Mikki
Gorelick Avatar
November 14, 2008 at 4:55 PM
I got caught up in this...Ive never read a poem just like it...thank you for something new and original. BG
Austin Avatar
November 14, 2008 at 4:33 PM
Suaper write, Keith. I taught at the same school with Roethke's Sister, June I think her name was, in Saginaw, Michigan. My write was inspired by W.H. Auden. Love, daver
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