Mending Sump by Kenneth Koch
I had to laugh over this one…
Mending Sump
By Kenneth Koch
“Hiram, I think the sump is backing up.
The bathroom floor boards for above two weeks
Have seemed soaked through. A little bird, I think
Has wandered into the pipes, and all’s gone wrong.”
“Something there is that doesn’t hump a sump,”
He said; and through his head she saw a cloud
That seemed to twinkle. “Hiram, well,” she said,
“Smith is come home! I saw his face just now
While looking through your head. He’s come to die
Or else to laugh, for hay is dried-up grass
When you’re alone.” He rose, and sniffed the air.
“We’d better leave him in the sump,” he said.
