Homunculus

Homunculus

you thought it would stay in one place
adopt a contented pose
lounge languidly by the fire without complaint 
nor ask for more than could be given

little did you know this thing 
had a mind of its own
and was after all
you call your own

soon you were working for it
meeting its capricious demands
with no compensatory gratuities
stated or implied
 -- an ad hoc arrangement
made on its terms
not yours --

other possibilities were pursued
to no advantage
most were closed to further inquiry

the homunculus clung to the web it wove
spun round a routine that met his demands
along with a free lunch that was not discussed
												
now you’re out the door
on the street
looking back at a brightly-lit room
where visions of poignant scenes
fade into misty shadows
                David Sermersheim
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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