The Rusty Chimes

By Eulalia S N He bought me for his Serene What a lovely bride she was! I promised to keep her happy Just as he did in his wedding vows. I was hung out in the patio The trees, birds and happy babies "Oh what a perfect view!" I chimed away in glee. I tickle to her caresses and chime to her song That she so lovingly taught me to sing, through best of times and also when all goes dead wrong.

Her old parents wobbled to the door And I chimed a sweet hello But the lady shushed me at once Sneering I was too happy for her old soul I chimed a song of seraph 's choir As Serene cooed to her peeved baby The tot smiled in a peaceful dream As winds danced to the gentle lullaby. But alas I was shushed again Seems I was too noisy for the child "Wasn't it I who chimed the psalm?" The wind shrugs and waves goodbye. When it's sunny, spring time Or it's snowing all around I'm shushed always for being either too gentle or too loud. So I seize to chime through rain or sunshine I silently watch as days go by Wondering why I'm hung in the patio When I'm forbidden to be myself? Ugly and angry I rot and rust I cling to the ceiling, a symbol of disgust Why doesn't Serene throw me away It's better to be dead than a misfit array. The days get busier and beauty is tired Youth wears out as Serene's boy turns adult It's just her in the rickety chair Fragile glasses and silvery hair. Why am I hung in this patio, now I know To catch her memories and give back the days Which she thought were lost in life's hectic ways Under heavy dirt, I chime once more as her twinkling eyes catch the morning glow She strokes the book clutched at her breast That held a pressed rose of memories best. This is why I was hung in the patio This is where I truly belong To chime happily our forgotten song As my beautiful Serene laughs and sings along.

By Eulalia S N