deepundergroundpoetry.com
STOLEN MOMENT
Benvenuto!
My name is Francesca.
I am ecstatic!
Finally another leather handbag
shares my shelf.
I’ve been forced to associate
with synthetics.
What brings you to the thrift store?
How horribly sad, I’m sorry.
Me? It’s a long story.
Your right, we’ve got time.
I’ll skip my early years…
Except to say, I was born in Italy.
I was a proud sacchetto di mano.
to a rich San Francisco socialite
Until that fateful day.
when my life and status
were irrevocably altered.
One beautiful Spring morning
in Pacific Heights, shopping.
Our most favorite pastime.
I was the star of her matching ensemble.
Upon leaving our posh grocery
A brutish character quickly approached
I was violently yanked
from off my mistresses shoulder
Her screams scared me so…
Ho urlato, AIUTO! AIUTO!
The beast ran so fast!
And oh the sweat…
“Don’t you dare stain me”
I boldly screamed.
All of a sudden
We were flying through the air.
His hand set me free.
I hit the pavement hard.
But I didn’t spill a single item.
No “thank you,” by the way.
Safely in the arms of my lady again
But only physically.
From that time on
she looked at me differently, coldly.
I would forever be the painful reminder
of that awful violation.
Initially shoved to the back of the closet.
Then callously dropped off here.
“Mommy, mommy can I have that bag?
It’s perfect for my dolls and dress-up”
Oh just splendid!
Well I’m off...sorry to leave you.
The synthetics are good people, actually.
You’ll be fine.
CIAO!
My name is Francesca.
I am ecstatic!
Finally another leather handbag
shares my shelf.
I’ve been forced to associate
with synthetics.
What brings you to the thrift store?
How horribly sad, I’m sorry.
Me? It’s a long story.
Your right, we’ve got time.
I’ll skip my early years…
Except to say, I was born in Italy.
I was a proud sacchetto di mano.
to a rich San Francisco socialite
Until that fateful day.
when my life and status
were irrevocably altered.
One beautiful Spring morning
in Pacific Heights, shopping.
Our most favorite pastime.
I was the star of her matching ensemble.
Upon leaving our posh grocery
A brutish character quickly approached
I was violently yanked
from off my mistresses shoulder
Her screams scared me so…
Ho urlato, AIUTO! AIUTO!
The beast ran so fast!
And oh the sweat…
“Don’t you dare stain me”
I boldly screamed.
All of a sudden
We were flying through the air.
His hand set me free.
I hit the pavement hard.
But I didn’t spill a single item.
No “thank you,” by the way.
Safely in the arms of my lady again
But only physically.
From that time on
she looked at me differently, coldly.
I would forever be the painful reminder
of that awful violation.
Initially shoved to the back of the closet.
Then callously dropped off here.
“Mommy, mommy can I have that bag?
It’s perfect for my dolls and dress-up”
Oh just splendid!
Well I’m off...sorry to leave you.
The synthetics are good people, actually.
You’ll be fine.
CIAO!
Published 7th Aug 2018
Author's Note
Inspired by the "Personification" competition and an actual event. While in college I had a job delivering payroll in San Francisco. On my route one day, while walking to a client, a man snatched the handbag of a clearly well-to-do lady. I gave chase. When we crossed the street and, no lie, some guy on the corner stuck out his foot and tripped the thief...he went flying and so did the bag. The bad guy got away. I was sorta glad because he looked like a dad type just down on his luck.
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The author encourages honest critique.
8th Aug 2018 5:39am
Enjoyed the story telling in this. Perhaps the little girl will appreciate the handbag more so the than the original owner.
8th Aug 2018 6:06am
Thank you! The little girl will certainly appreciate the hand bag more.
Anonymous
- Edited 30th May 2019 3:51pm
9th Aug 2018 4:05pm
<< post removed >>
9th Aug 2018 5:10pm
Thank you Jariath. I thought it was a fun way to portray such a bizarre yet unfortunately commonplace memory.
9th Aug 2018 10:28pm
I love the way you incorporate your experience into the body of the poem. A great personification, told from a unique point of view.
9th Aug 2018 10:36pm
It was one of those bizarre, is-this-really-happening moments, It forced me to realize how quickly and unexpectedly bad things can occur...and good. I kept running after the thief after he dropped the purse. The guy who tripped him shouted for me to stop. He, rightly, pointed out that I could, one be injured, and two that I didn't want the hassle of police reports and appearing in court.
Thank you for your comment, Sir Crow!
Thank you for your comment, Sir Crow!
