The 'Puff No One Wanted
-or-
Closing Time
By: Gary Curtis (icekings2000) 4/26/00
Now I lay me down to sleep
Oh, lock the door, you stupid bleep
Get in your car and drive away
And leave me here another day
Oh, I don't mean to yell at you
I'm just so all alone and blue
A lonely little Powerpuff
And I'm supposed to be so tough!
How long's it been? A month, or more?
That I've been sitting in this store
What's wrong with me? My hair? My face?
That keeps me in this awful place
The last one left an hour ago
It hurts so much to watch them go!
She smiled at me and said goodbye
And looked like she was going to cry
But deep inside I know that she
Is happy it was her, not me
To brighten someone else's day
To hold, to hug, to laugh and play
Tomorrow brings another truck
Another chance to change my luck
The workers come and fill the shelves
With brand new copies of ourselves
We talk and laugh, it's so much fun
Remembering all the fights we won
They try to keep my spirits up
This sad, forgotten Buttercup
"Don't worry, kid, today's your day!
You're gonna get your chance to play!"
Until it happens once again
One by one, there go my friends
Pushed to the left! Pushed to the right!
Pushed to the back, out of the light
And what I really can't believe
Is even Mojo gets to leave!
It happens every single time
Can wanting me be such a crime?
It isn't right! It isn't fair!
Doesn't anybody care?
The box I'm in is bent and old
And that is why I'm never sold
But inside, I'm like all the rest!
The shoppers have to have the best
"The box is damaged" they all say
And then they throw the box away!
It makes no sense! It's just a box!
Are their heads all filled with rocks?
And so I sit here on this shelf
Can't they just love me for myself?
I can be the perfect toy
For any little girl or boy
To walk with them down at the park
To comfort them when it's too dark
To stay with them when they're not well
To keep the secrets that they tell
To run with them, and sing and dance
Oh, all I need is just one chance!
So, now I lay me down to sleep
Please, someone, take me home to keep!
A few months ago, I was at a Toys R Us store, shopping for some gifts. I happened to walk down the aisle where the PPG plush toys were sold. They were totally wiped out, except for one of the smaller Buttercup dolls, sitting well back on its shelf.. The box was partly crushed. It was one of the 'frowning' versions, but, sitting alone in the shadows, it just seemed very sad. For a second, I could imagine a single tear running down its cheek.I had forgotten all about that afternoon. Today, while thinking over some ideas for a new story, that picture popped into my mind. These words started coming from out of the blue. It never occurred to me to write a poem, if you want to call it that. It was a good exercise for me and something totally unexpected. I'd like to hear anyone's thoughts on it. If you do, please let me know which title you prefer. Thanks!
The above thoughts are from the day I wrote the piece. Obviously, the alternate title was dropped.
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