Sad I Ams

I am
the ring
from an empty Cola can
the scrapings
from an unwashed porridge pan
the severed arm
of last years Action Man.
I am
the envelope
on which the gum is gone
the Sellotape
where you cant find the end
the toothless stapler, springless bulldog clip
the dried-up liquid paper
that mars instead of mends
the stamped addressed reply
that you forgot
to send.
I am
the battery in which no charge is left
the starter motor which remains inert
the tyre on which the tread is worn

Trevor Millum

1
 I am the ring from an empty Cola can

The scrapings from an unwashed porridge pan

The severed arm of last years Action Man

I am the envelope on which the gum is gone

2
 The Sellotape where you cant find the end

A toothless stapler, springless bulldog clip

A dried up liquid paper

that mars instead of mends

The stamped addressed reply that you forget to send

3
I am the battery in which no charge is left, the starter motor which remains inert

The tyre in which the thread is worn

The sparkling plug which shows no sign of spark

The carburettor choked by bits of dirt

4
The chromium trim from which the shine has gone

The garden overgrown with weed

A library book that no one ever reads

A stray which no one thinks to feed

5
The piece of good advice which no one seems to need

6
Based on your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions.
Question Answer
1. Why do you think the porridge pan is
dirty?
2. What happened to the Action Man toy?
3. Why cant the envelope be sealed?
4. Why cant the liquid paper be used
anymore?
5. What do you think will happen if the
tyre is still used?
6. What happened to the carburettor?
7. What can you say about the condition
of the garden?
8. If you see a stray animal, what would
you do?
9. Where do you think most of the items
mentioned in the poem could be found?
10. Why do you think no one has ever read
the library book?