The Tortoise

Paul Bell

I told her marriage was an institution.
She went mental.
I consoled myself with shooting the tortoise.
It was for the best.
There was no way it would win the greyhound derby.
She was beyond reason.
I was bringing it out of its shell.
I sort of laughed uncontrollably.
She didn’t.
She actually was trying to bring it out of its shell.
I suggested mad passionate love.
She wanted chocolates.
How about a toffee crisp and a fumble.
How about you dropping dead.
Who would pick up your pills if I dropped dead.
I would pick up my own pills.
What, you don’t know what day of the week it was last Thursday.
I was in love last Thursday.
Not with me.
No, with the pet shop owner
You do know he’s married.
He was leaving her for me.
He’s married to a bloke.
They’re both leaving their wives for me.
Is this about the tortoise.
What tortoise.
Never mind, let's get married.
Just now.
Yes, we can get married in the chemist shop
Somehow that makes sense.
What about children.
You could get them at the supermarket.
Three for two.
They hide them behind the screens now.
Children.
No silly, the alcohol I think.
They don’t hide the chocolates.
Did you really shoot the tortoise?
Yes, but the bullet bounced off its shell.
That’s good.
Not really, the pet shop owner was holding it.

  • Author: Paul Bell (Pseudonym) (Offline Offline)
  • Published: December 20th, 2021 05:22
  • Category: Humor
  • Views: 16
  • Users favorite of this poem: L. B. Mek
Get a free collection of Classic Poetry ↓

Receive the ebook in seconds 50 poems from 50 different authors


Comments +

Comments2

  • L. B. Mek

    I want these words
    as my epitaph...
    'I told her
    marriage was an institution.
    She went mental.
    I consoled myself
    with shooting the tortoise.
    It was for the best.
    There was no way
    it would win the greyhound derby.
    She
    was beyond, reason.
    I was bringing it
    out of its shell.
    I sort of laughed, uncontrollably.'
    (pure, wry humour: Genius!
    what a gift, you choose to share
    thank you, dear Poet)

    • Paul Bell

      I wouldn't mind that epitaph, either.

    • Rozina

      So funny! Raining here but this poem has brightened up my morning!

      • Paul Bell

        You need a tortoise. lol



      To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.