Useless Stuff

We are pelted daily on television by some brassy tout,
Hawking useless stuff we're told we can't survive without!
"Not available at your local store - the price cannot be outdone;
Order now and I'll send you two for the price of one!"

A pastime as American as baseball, barbeque and punkin pie,
Is touring yard sales! Mercy! The myriad of junk you can buy!
Neighbors hold sales displaying useless gimcrackery,
To rid themselves of whatchamacallits and other knickknackery!

Antique stores are a haven for cast-off falderol galore.
The shelves sag with stuff folks have no use for anymore.
It doesn't make sense to clutter my attic or spend my dollars,
On such stuff as antique coffee grinders or old horse collars!

Even my computer is not immune from spewing bodacious bunk,
Displaying a litany of unsolicited emails called "junk!"
Some guy in Liberia promises millions if only I'd send some cash.
Others with deals too good to be true - Lord, spare me this trash!

Alas, our house is crammed with stuff bought over the years,
At flea-markets, yard sales and from babbling auctioneers.
Most of it is useless, collects dust and takes up space.
Come to think of it, a yard sale might be my saving grace!

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
(© All Rights Reserved)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010


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

Date: 3/19/2010 5:29:00 PM
Sounds like my house ..I don't need a t.v. to buy stupid stuff. Just take me 2 a store. WE WOMEN buy junk after junk...I do ..One day I plan 2 have a garage sale....Enjoyed...
Login to Reply
Date: 3/19/2010 12:13:00 PM
Oh how true. It's unbelievable the junk we are inclined to hang on to.
Login to Reply
Date: 3/19/2010 10:44:00 AM
"Stuff" like this can create a lot of clutter, but people are still buying it, Bob! When I moved to a smaller house, you wouldn't believe how much stuff I left at the curb. You and Vera worked very well on that limerick. It gave me a good laugh! Just leave it alone and don't edit it -- it should remain on the list! I think last time you may have taken it down and reposted the Sea Tails Limerick, but a poltergeist may be at work. Love, Carolyn
Login to Reply
Date: 3/19/2010 9:09:00 AM
I really enjoyed this write/rant of yours Robert - Thankyou for sharing -;)
Login to Reply
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter