Incident on Main Street, Kenopsia, Minnesota
Kenopsia, Minnesota
is a pissant, little burg
has been ever since
that one horse died,
only landmark is Mel’s Burgers
on Main St, the only street.
Try Mel’s Famous Burgers
the sign on the outskirts
of town says and some people do.
One day a stranger came to town
dressed in black with a low brim hat
and Lee Van Cleef eyes
some say he hailed from Aphasia, Wisconsin
others were past saying
you know what I’m sayin’.
The stranger walks into Mel’s Burgers
and Mel’s dog starts to howl
a pitiful howl that could be heard
in Amentalio, ten miles down the road.
Give me one of your famous burgers
he says to Mel, and Mel does
ten minutes later
the stranger is dead on the floor
and all hopes the town had
of appearing in a Stephen King novel
or an episode of Fargo
died with that stranger.
Thanks to Linda over at dverse for her excellent prompt, check it out here. The names of the towns in the poem were taking from the book The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig. All is explained in Linda’s post.
Stopdraggingthepanda 
I love how you used the terms as burg towns. Was that Stephen on the floor, dead?? Such fun.
LikeLike
It could be Stephen…we’ll never know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You really conjured up an atmosphere, here, Jim. The town names are perfect. Definitely made me think of Fargo.
LikeLike
Thanks Ingrid, I’ve been in those towns!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So incredibly fun and beyond clever, Jim. This made my day – I’ll reread it later for sure.
❤
David
LikeLike
Thank you David, much appreciated…JIM
LikeLike
Dammit Jim, you’ve done it again! Wonderful poem. Looks totally effortless as usual! I’m still smiling at “the one horse died” (this is a family joke here whenever we pass through small places) and I love “Lee Van Cleef eyes”.
LikeLike
Thanks Kim!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Totally delightful!
LikeLike
Thanks Linda
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLike
Not easy to take obscure sorrows and make a satire like this from them, one which fires on every cylinder and leaves the reader’s face cracked into an embarrassingly wide grin. I have so been through that town. My black hat is off to you, my friend.
LikeLike
Thanks Joy! I too have been in that town!
LikeLike
I think with names like this those towns were doomed from the beginning to be places that wouldn’t even fit in horror movies.
LikeLike
Town without a chance!
LikeLike
This is so clever and beautifully rendered! 😀
LikeLike
Thank you Sanaa, much appreciated.
LikeLike
Entertaining story, Jim! I’m not sure I’d try one of Mel’s (in)famous burgers…assume it was a heart attack!?
LikeLike
It will remain a mystery!
LikeLiked by 1 person
did Mel’s serve a musty ole’ horse burger?
LikeLike
Mel’s burger recipe is a closely guarded secret.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A sweetly atmospheric and street-smart capsule story, Jim. I admit I was intrigued. Wishing you all the best for the festive season and 2022, Steve.
LikeLike
Thanks Steve and happy Christmas to you too, and all the best for the New Year…JIM
LikeLiked by 1 person