The Something

There’s a Something in our row home,

I don’t know what it is;

It brings mischief into every single room.

 

We’ve known it since we moved here,

We’ve learned to coexist;

Some kind of poltergeist, I must presume.

 

It doesn’t moan and holler,

It doesn’t dress in sheets,

It doesn’t move the furniture around.

 

In fact, our Something’s subtle,

Quite stealthy in its acts;

I’ve never heard it make a single sound.

 

So why am I so certain

That the Something’s here at all?

I’ll tell you what it does in all our spaces:

 

It puts forks where only spoons go,

It mismatches all the socks,

It moves the tools from all their proper places.

 

It leaves mugs out on the counter,

And the milk out overnight,

Lets oatmeal dry and crust onto the bowl;

 

Its most clever little habit

That gets me every time

Is leaving empty toilet paper rolls

 

It unfolds clean, stacked laundry,

It hides my husband’s keys

Leaves water bottles all around the house.

 

I’m certain Something’s in here ~

What else could it be?

If you don’t believe me, ask my loving spouse!

 

Reviews

[richom]

Darned if we haven't done it again. Written poems with a similar theme. Yours is a poltergeist and mine is an imp. I hadn't planned to post mine ("My Invisible Imp") because it was written for children. But I'm going to post it now so that you can read it if you wish. I like yours better than mine because it is about plaguing adults, and I certainly have experienced some of the mysterious things you describe (hidden keys, empty toilet rolls, etc.). Very well written, as always, and entertaining to read. Richard

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Rich - That is funny that we write on common themes - kindred spirits, again. :)

[ANTO]

Class Rita. The something reminded me of my da's sarcastic war-cry "Oh the fairies did it!"...
Brilliantly sarcastic.
X

[Rita L. Sev]

Ha! Yes, it's always the fairies, isn't it? ;) Thanks, Anto!

[Lydia Shutter]

Smiling here. This is absolutely adorable. I think your something has a brother who lives in my home! Wonderful. Lydi**

[Rita L. Sev]

:) It seems like so many of us have one of these... Thanks, Lydia!

[Leonard Birch]

Mmmm! That sounds like me Rita. Next morning there are empty pkt's of chisps, a half eaten sandwich ect. I blame it on the Cats and the Dog.

[Rita L. Sev]

Ha! I think every household has one... ;)

[Pryde Foltz]

Oh, you have a 'no one'. No one's can be very hard to get rid of.

[Rita L. Sev]

You mean, it's not a "Something"? I have been using the wrong exterminator... :)

[Pryde Foltz]

hahahahaha

[Marie]

You have the strangest of all polergeists....it's trying to tell you something.

Listen!

[Rita L. Sev]

Ha! Good advice! Thanks, Marie.

[Onku Ghosh]

Couldthe something be your loving spouse( because these traits seem so much like my husbands....I hope he never comes across this).Really enjoyed this piece,Rita.

[Onku Ghosh]

Could that something be your beloved spouse ( because these are attributes of my husband.....I hope he never comes across this)Just loved this write of yours.YOu have the abiltiy to transform ordinary mundane things to something interesting ,even hilarious.

[Rita L. Sev]

Ha! Yes, you got it, Onku! Thank you so much - I think the everyday is something to be celebrated! Even these perhaps "annoying" things - not so terrible if we can laugh about it... :)

[Onku Ghosh]

You are right.....IF we can laugh about it.

[Angi]

Ha! I have a poltergeist, too! His name is Steve ;P Cute, cute, Rita! Angi~

[Rita L. Sev]

Yep - mine is named Greg... ;) He was not as amused by this one... Thanks, Angi!

[Einstein Noodle]

sounds a lot like the mischief maker, Kokopelli at work. I'm sorry to tell you- he only leaves of his own accord. :{ I'll be praying for you!

E.

[Rita L. Sev]

Ha! Love that reference (have a friend with a Kokopelli tattoo...) Yes, that must be it... ;) Thanks, E!