Kenneth Bartlett Poet Rhyme

OUR OUTHOUSE

						           		 
Our outhouse was attached to the rear of our home.
In times of foul weather, negating any need to roam. 
It was all about convenience.  Never heated,
permanently air conditioned, and two seated.
It was one of the best and quiet thinking spots.
Because the door lacked a lock or handle slots,
there were occasions when interruptions occurred,	
encouraging one to butt out of there inured.
Winter weather could be nasty and cold,
causing meditations to be short, thus quickly unload.
Summer was warm with breezy invasions, 
entertaining lingering and tingling sensations.  
There was never a need to waste water and flush.
Spreading lime was used to keep nasty fly's from us. 
Outside and behind was a sliding door,		
Where once a year I was 'encouraged' to explore
and clean our outhouse with pail, rake, and shovel.
A chore that trained me to write poetry and grovel.

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Alison A Smith October 2, 2026 at 6:32 PM A warmly nostalgic, sharply observed poem that makes an everyday childhood fixture memorable through humour and precise sensory detail. The neat end-rhyme couplets give it an easy, conversational momentum, while lines such as “permanently air conditioned, and two seated” balance comic understatement with affectionate remembrance. The seasonal contrasts, practical realities, and final revelation of the annual cleaning chore create a vivid, complete portrait of family life—and a wonderfully wry origin story. This brought back memories. Thank you for this write.🌹