The Donor / by Brian Kunde

The Donor
by Brian Kunde

A donor gave a book to us,
And made of it a lot of fuss:
He said “I want this piece to go
Right into your collection.”

We didn’t, but he promised more
To follow, which we lusted for,
In light of which we took it, so
He’d keep up the connection.

But then, alas, our donor died,
His pledge not yet redeemed. We tried
To reel it in. We couldn’t, though.
Imagine our dejection!

And that, alas, was not the worst:
The piece of junk he’d sent us first
Remained to fill our hearts with woe
In all its imperfection.

We swallowed whole the bait before
Securing what we took it for,
And said we’d keep it. Now we’re low,
And sickly of complexion.

Beware the gifts a donor brings
Whenever they’re attached to strings
Which bind to you what you would throw
Away, allowed discretion.

* * * * *

The Donor

from Bibliotec(hnic)a : Poems, Sep. 24, 2013.
An earlier version appeared in
SUL News Notes, v. 4, no. 44, Nov. 17, 1995.

1st web edition posted 5/15/2014.