The Rainwater Barrel

‘If only she hadn’t turned,’ he said,

‘The bread and the bacon burned,

It wouldn’t have made me jump,’ he said,

‘Knock over the butter churn.

Her petticoat was caught in the grate

With coals caught fast in the lace,

And that’s when the skirt went up,’ he said,

‘The flames in her lovely face.’

He carried her into the garden where

The rainwater barrel stood,

And tipped her into the chilling depths

Where the fungus ate at the wood,

The barrel hissed as she thrashed about

Came spluttering up to see,

Was anything left of her golden hair

Or aught of her modesty?

‘I saw the tender length of her thigh

Where charring parted her skirt,

The flames had burned so far and so high

Her cheeks were covered with dirt,

Her hair in tails was stuck to her face

Her bodice unlaced and wide,

I helped her out as best as I could,

She asked if I’d looked… I lied!’

‘That tiny scar you see on her brow

Is all that’s left of the day

Her petticoat was caught in the grate

Before I whisked her away.

I couldn’t wait until she was dry

To ask for her dripping hand,’

She said, ‘Oh well, I knew you were sly,

You looked at my contraband!’

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[James]

Haha,' looked at her contraband'. Loved it David.

[SAYED THANGAL]

The poem gives a complete sketch through lively images
I like very much
Syed
India

[MomzillaNC]

Every word, every time you write brilliantly. I like the happy ending in this one!

[ThePoetDarkling]

Nothing less than perfect, every time. I was almost disappointed no one died, but I reckon you can't kill everyone ... or can you? Just teasing - well done. Thanks for the chuckle.

[Geralyn Miller]

And you, sir, are most definitely a sly one; when the work begins, the reader thinks it will end dark and somber with loss of the Lady; but you wickedly turn the tables and give us a bit of delighted happiness. well done!