The Crust Man

Dedicated to my friend Manyfacets

I sat at the table and hungrily ate,
But the crust of my bread still remained on the plate.

Aunt Vivian was angry. "You must eat that crust!"
But I wouldn't, and turned up my nose in disgust.

Dear Uncle Harry thought for a while,
Then he opened his eyes and said with a smile:

"If you don't eat your sandwiches; every last bite,
Then the Crust Man will come in the dead of the night.
He'll enter your bedroom and steal you from bed,
Then he'll gobble you up 'tween two slices of bread!"

"Oh Uncle Harry! Please don't be daft
That's only a story!" Then I ran off, and laughed.

--

Later that evening, old Harry said,
He would read me a story and put me to bed.

Then softly he whispered as he turned out the light,
"Beware of the Crust Man who walks in the night."

At three in the morning, or maybe 'twas four,
I woke to hear somebody open my door.

The old rusty hinges were starting to creak,
Then a truly horrific voice started to speak:

"I'm Crust Man! I'm Crust Man! I'm back from the dead!
And I'm looking for children who won't eat their bread!
I'll eat them, and beat them, and grind them to dust!
And all for refusing to eat up their crust!"

I dived under the blanket and covered my eyes.
I was sure that the Crust Man would mean my demise.

But in ran old Harry and said "It's OK.
I have frightened that scary old Crust Man away!"

Harry had saved me - I had nearly been dead!
And all for the sake of a stale crust of bread.

--

Next day we had sandwiches for a quick meal.
And how well I remembered the Crust Man ordeal.

So I ate them all up till I thought I would bust.
And I didn't leave anything - not one single crust.

--

I have wonderful memories of Harry and Viv,
But I won't forget Crust Man as long as I live!

Reviews

[Melissa Kesead]

I love it! It reminds me of a poem my mom used to recite to me before bed.

[Manyfacets]

Ha, ha, It still makes me laugh Baz. I rewrote Uncle harry before posting it on here though. Your poem should go over very well here... at least with my little group of friends. Welcome to the Caf�. I do hope
that you will stay with us. Thanks again for this wonderful poem. Smiles to you and yours M.