The Gravediggers

The undertaker at Butcher's Funeral Parlor received the dreadful call.
Seems old Senator Cheatum keeled over and succumbed at the local mall!
His untimely demise spurred the undertaker to set a series of events in motion,
To ensure that everything went smoothly with a minimum of commotion!

Senator Cheatum made prior funeral arrangements including the care of his cat.
He was to be interred in Glorious Sunrise Cemetery in a pleasant, shady plat.
Mr. Butcher, the undertaker, had to arrange for guys to excavate his grave,
So he collared three of the town's ne-er-do-wells, Arnold, Cletus and Dave.

He found them hanging out at Clyde's Saloon guzzling Old Milwaukee beers!
Those fellers had dug graves for dozens of townsfolk for years and years.
They loaded their shovels and a couple of cases of beer in Dave's pickup truck.
They figured on having the job completed before the sun set with any luck.

They measured the plat to a precise four by six and when all was ready,
Their elbows flew as they shoveled that hallowed clay, albeit, a bit unsteady!
They paused for a break every fifteen minutes or so to tap another brew.
As the grave reached the prescribed six feet, it grew more and more askew!

In their bleary-eyed state they weren't concerned about the esthetics of it all.
They just wanted to pack up their gear and head for Clyde's Saloon and Pool Hall.
They eyed their handiwork, drank some more and Cletus was heard to expound:
"Shucks, that old fart was so crooked that they could screw him in the ground!"

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved

Stay tuned - sequel to follow!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

B Avatar
April 21, 2012 at 9:38 PM
Indeed, an excellent story crafted in witty rhyme. And a hearty chuckle at the end, i'll have to check the sequel now. Thanks for sharing!
O'Leary Avatar
April 21, 2012 at 12:20 PM
I read the sequal first... but I'm still laughing... Terry
Salama  Avatar
April 21, 2012 at 10:29 AM
LOL - Bob, this was great fun! I loved it!
Carrillo Avatar
April 21, 2012 at 10:18 AM
This sure is funny. You sure have a way of making us laugh. Thanks for sharing, Lucilla
Guzzi Avatar
April 21, 2012 at 9:54 AM
LOL yup...those who govern do have loose screws! Light & Love
Campi Avatar
April 21, 2012 at 9:52 AM
This made me laugh. I am looking for the sequel.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace