Monday 31 March 2008

What Became of Her (mystery in verse)



I wondered
what became of her
she left without a show
and if she meant
to leave that way
and where she had to go
the house is on the way
she'd be sweeping every day
and one time waved hello
like someone that I know
I wondered
what became of her

I saw it on the front page
her family had no clue
they offered up a ransom
for the whereabouts of Sue
So Susan was her name
and sweeping was her game
and without another thought about
the fortune or the shame
i made it my intention
to find out
what became of her

they boarded
up the windows
and posted not to go
into the house of mystery
along this busy road
the path out to her mailbox
she swept clean when it snowed
I couldn't help but ponder
was it taxes that she owed
and wondered
what became of her

The brightly colored awnings
had faded over time
the swing that kept it's secrets
was caked with soot and grime
the front steps creaked apologies
the porch was less than kind
it swallowed this unwelcome guest
but left the clues behind
and lying on my back
beneath the rotten shack
recovering my breath
my sweeping brush with death
I discovered what became of her

This was not her body
and this was not a bone
for down there in the darkness
quite sure I was alone
back on my feet I felt
the sudden urge and knelt
and prayed a prayer of thankfulness
that I had not a welt
but knew what had become of her

I grabbed then for my cellphone
and dialed 911
I knew that Sue was resting
where dialing is not done
that she was in a 'better place'
than where I had my knee
otherwise, the swing above
would surely be dirt free
and that's what had become of her.

I broke it to the family
said not to be depressed
She's "somewhere else, a better place"
but they were not impressed
they billed me for the porch repair
and sued me for the rest
I could not argue for my side
that Sue would not agree
but understood their pain and let
the burden fall on me
I'd guessed what had become of her

Still I'd wonder what became of her
and where she laid her last
and was I right in thinking
the ghost of Sue had passed?
And then one day, I heard that
she had surfaced in Toledo
she'd gone to meet a relative
who's name was Cousin Vito.

She'd fallen for the butcher there
who owned a nice estate
and there they made their fortune
putting meat on every plate
And back home folks were stunned
that sidewalk sweeping Sue
would live to find another life
Ohio then, who knew
she'd chosen what become of her

So I was right, then, all along
a better place would do
a home with love and laughter
a path to sweep with Rue
and a porch which welcomes everyone
with a swing which carries two
Toledo's bestest butcher
He was swept away by Sue!

And that's what had become of her.

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