We Who Laugh Last, Laugh Best

That foolish stranger who had wandered into town
bickering with folks, trying to shove them around
was nothing more than an old worn-out clown.
Beneath Soup Creek Bridge, we saw him drown.

We thought he'd learned a lesson and ran away,
but fate did him in for being such a mean hombre'
Sooner or later the devil always demands his pay.
The foolish stranger couldn't escape his doomsday.

He thought he'd left Soup Creek with a parting gift
that would make some angry, leaving others miffed
but it triggered laughter, which gave the town a lift,
knowing that hombre's ghost has been set adrift.

Foolishly, he tried to dance in the streets of Soup Creek
expecting those he'd injured to turn the other cheek.
With no help from the Beautiful People, once his clique,
the stranger with a mean streak was cowardly and weak

There's a moral to all stories, and this one is no exception
"Treat people like dirt and don't expect a warm reception."
The measure of a man isn't found in lies and deception
That was the stranger's concept, a gross misconception.

No peace to be found in death for one who doesn't behave.
Thanks to Sheriff Koplin, Gambler Milt, and Ranger Dave,
the ladies and the posse who pointed guns at the knave.
Undertaker Tom, time to put that dead stranger in a grave.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

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

Ray Avatar
June 8, 2022 at 4:15 PM
why a problem? if a poem is not your forte simply move on....nice walk Jenna and a lot of horse sense in those lines
Logan Avatar
June 8, 2022 at 4:27 PM
Long story with a history. Some like to find fault for the heck of it. Thanks for you comments,Timothy.
Elless Avatar
June 5, 2022 at 3:58 PM
Very nice job Jenna. It's great stuff. Congratulations! Howard Schultz
Logan Avatar
June 8, 2022 at 4:25 PM
I thank you, Howard.
Watt Avatar
May 25, 2022 at 3:49 PM
I hope trolls and bullies will take note of your words and head on out of 'Soup Creek'. Blessed are the peacemakers.
Logan Avatar
May 27, 2022 at 4:11 PM
I doubt it, John. Mark had one his poems harassed this morning by one of the pack griping at him.
Y. Avatar
May 25, 2022 at 11:46 AM
WoW! Jenna, You’ve penned a well-executed Elegy. The way you all (Tom and Milt)have taken “ this” situation and turned it into a poem was brilliant. I hope the bullies, haters, and rift raft say away from Soup Creek. If they decide to come and cause trouble, they’ll get the boot. Well done-Alexis
Logan Avatar
May 27, 2022 at 4:10 PM
I doubt they'll stay away, Alexis. We can only keep trying to boot em! Thanks.
Krutsinger Avatar
May 25, 2022 at 10:04 AM
I love this abbreviated monorhyme in stanzas! Very well executed!
Logan Avatar
May 25, 2022 at 10:06 AM
Thank you, Caren. I'm glad you live among us in Soup Creek.
Koplin Avatar
May 23, 2022 at 4:20 PM
Don’t forget, there’s a new sheriff in town
Logan Avatar
May 23, 2022 at 4:37 PM
Impossible to forget that, Sheriff!!
Allison Avatar
May 23, 2022 at 2:00 PM
fab elegy and I love the rhyme Jenna, I hope the coffin is nailed down good and proper as I recall another poet rising from the dead on numerous occasions! hugs Jan xx
Logan Avatar
May 23, 2022 at 3:39 PM
If there's a chance he'll reemerge, we'll know. I, too, remember the other nemesis. Thanks, Jan.
Cunningham Avatar
May 23, 2022 at 2:06 PM
Don't worry Jan I only use barbed nails lol
Leffanta Avatar
May 23, 2022 at 11:40 AM
Coffin nail indeed! Aloha!
Logan Avatar
May 23, 2022 at 12:18 PM
Thanks a bunch, Rico.
Kavanagh  Avatar
May 23, 2022 at 9:15 AM
Why mam he was so crooked, he could swallow nails and spit out corkscrews. Another fun one Jenna, you played a blinder, I think the message is clear! I’m sure Tom will be happy, his business is looking up, cheers David
Logan Avatar
May 23, 2022 at 12:17 PM
Why, thank you, Mr. Ranger. I'm glad you're staying in town to help with those who like to raise a ruckus!
Hankins Avatar
May 23, 2022 at 8:33 AM
(chuckling) This is so good, Jenna. A fine follow-up to Tom's story. You've outdone yourself, I believe, and I love seeing the interloper dispatched with humor! Thanks! A FAVE for me.
Logan Avatar
May 23, 2022 at 12:16 PM
Thank you very kindly, Milt. I appreciate your comments.
Koplin Avatar
May 23, 2022 at 7:59 AM
Holy smokes!!! That is brilliant!!! I absolutely love it Jenna. A fave for me! I thought I saw a coffin propped up outside the undertakers porch. Yee haw
Logan Avatar
May 23, 2022 at 8:01 AM
ha. Pretty sure ya did. Undertaker Tom has a keen eye for troublemakers comin' into town. Thanks a lot, Mark.
Cunningham Avatar
May 23, 2022 at 7:50 AM
Lol this is brilliant, im digging as we speak, Oh I'll need measurements. Going into my FAVES and hope it gets POTD. Yee haw. Tom
Logan Avatar
May 23, 2022 at 8:32 AM
That will do quite nicely, and if it has holes or rot...that's fine. Ain't no body offerin' to pay for his burial.
Cunningham Avatar
May 23, 2022 at 8:11 AM
I've got an ol' pine one out the back.
Logan Avatar
May 23, 2022 at 7:58 AM
Thank you, Tom. I enjoyed your Soup Creek tale and hoped you'd not mind my continuance for the rest of the story. POTD, now wouldn't that be a hoot considering I just had one removed. No matter, for it served its purpose and was laid to rest as an honored soldier. About those measurements... it shouldn't take a big box for one of such small worth.
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