The Cleanin, by Ron Riegel, 1973

< Riegel Entry No. 8, The Cleanin

Pharm Phantasy Series

This was one I wrote after a rash of tours through the Tin Palace where I observed a number of people who did not remove their shoes even after they were asked to do so by Michael. I was sweeping the dirt out a lot more often than I wanted to so I hung an enlarged print of this poem up by the entrance of the Tin Palace along with Mrs. Freezner’s curse, “All ye who enter here, remove ye shoes and wear clean socks lest a curse be hung upon you.” in hopes that people would abide by our ‘shoes off’ policy! Michael vehemently disliked anyone wearing shoes inside the Packing House or the Kitchen and made it his goal to never let it happen again. Since I have started thinking about the process of cleaning out my office, I thought it was appropriate to send this poem now since it is called ‘The Cleanin’. Again, my sole purpose of all this nonsense is to revive and enshrine some of those half or totally forgotten memories of Pharm life back in the sixties, seventies and eighties. Hope you enjoy!
Ron Riegel

The Cleanin

It is so kind of you to come
To this our humble flat
And share with us some happiness
By leaving your shoes on the mat.

‘tis our decree “What’s ours is yours”
So join us in food and singing
But we do insist you doff your shoes
And save our rug from needless cleaning.

By God you’d better not enter this place
With those shoes still on your feet
Or you might get hit upside the face
Then busted by the Heat!