Beneath the stairs in all our homes
There lives a race akin to gnomes
But these are creatures very small
That even those considered tall
Would have to stand upon a stile
To look above the carpet pile
Through which they venture out to find
The scraps of food we leave behind
They live in crannies lined with fluff
In which they keep their special stuff
Like spells and potions that they use
When oft they seek to us confuse
For they are not just followers
Who borrow like the borrowers
For what we have does them no good
So all they get from us is food
They are too small and slightly made
To use our spoons and cutting blades
They could not lift a safety pin
Which round their head would have to spin
To use it as a grappling hook
To reach a height to have a look
But these they do not need to use
For they have magic tricks to choose
Despite their size they do command
Respect from all in fairy land
As they can use their magic skill
To move a mountain at their will
And you will never find a one
Without a bag of potions on
So do not reckon from their size
That they are one we can despise
You will not see them if you look
For they will hide in every nook
And with their magic disappear
Whenever humans do appear
But there are those who know them well
Know how they live and where they dwell
And they have asked that we reveal
Exactly how we make them feel
Now that we have this modern age
Where cleanliness is all the rage
We have destroyed their living space
‘Til now extinction they do face
For even with their magic spell
They cannot cure the man-made hell
We cause by fixing every fault
So now’s the time to call a halt
These little folk are very wise
And know how human needs arise
How we like saving baby seals
Because they do to us appeal
And so they want us all to know
How cute they are but cannot show
And so they send this picture verse
So we can judge they could be worse
They look a little goblin like
With goatee beards and ears that spike
They wear cute little fuzzy hats
And clothing made of sealing wax
Which when it’s dripped upon their skin
Keeps all their private parts within
They do not cause us any harm
And know that we would like their charm
So this a plea they send to ask
To all of us for just one task
That when we clean beneath the stairs
We leave the corners to be theirs
Where they can live a peaceful life
Without the trouble or the strife
That we unknowing made them face
By vacuuming their living space
A contest entry
- Ah... The Ballad by Vagabond.
390 points, ended January 30, 2007, 11 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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Brilliant
This is fantastic a excellent piece indeed and really lifted my spirits. I found this magical and mystical which in return is a pleassure to read indeed.
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What a wonderful write. I love it so much. It pulled me in and had me hanging on. Well done. Keep them coming and blessed be.
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Bravo
Oh, this is absolutely wonderful, wonderful...I loved it, loved it!
(If you don't win--then "the fix" is in!) Bravo!!! Bravo!!!
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I loved this! I will never clean the corners again!
This was brilliantly written, I love the descriptive language! All the best in the contest!
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*laughing* That was great! Vacuums, the bane of all humanity! Well in my case they won't have to worry, i never vacuum under my stairs. (hell, I hardly ever vacuum on top of my stairs!) A very good story in any case, enjoyable in the extreme! The rhyme was good and the rhythm for the most part steady. Plus it was really funny. In any case, good work, and good luck in the contest (and since you seem to be so well in tune with these creatures, you can tell them that there are plenty of nooks and cranys in my home that never get cleaned, and that they are welcome to them...) Thanks for entering, and also, for giving me yet another excuse for not vacuuming!
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Broad this is excellent How pleased I am that I am a scruffy person and that my home is filled with such charming creatures.A wonderful story which I am sure you can in time expand on,with more insights into their lives Fantastic Good luck in the contest
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