Welcome to Cozy Poetry Corner by Debra A Winter (Richter)

“What is Grandma’s Outhouse”

“Hey Roseanna, what’s is an outhouse?

Grandma said, she had one when she was small.”

Well little one I will try to explain, the best way Roseanna knows how.

I know for sure an outhouse is certainly not a horse or a cow.

It’s an outside bathroom, in a simple box-like house, so to speak.

Some were made of brick or stone, most were made of wood, today they’re considered antique.

Inside these little boxed bathrooms, there was only a potty no sink.

It had a wood box with a hole in it for the toilet, when you went poo, it really did stink.

So, when nature called for rain, sunshine and even cold snow, 

In the old days when Grandma was young, it was her place to go.

She would have to walk outside no matter what the weather was doing;

Like a mail carrier, rain, sleet or snow, Grandma needed to clear what her inners were pursuing. 

It sure wasn’t a place for people to gather around,

The smell and the flies loved the hole inside that your poop went down.

Outhouses were also known for cold seats and squeaky doors,

If you came outside barefooted it also had real cold floors.

But the outhouse did serve its purposes, both day and night.

Grandpa built theirs away from the house, somewhat out of sight.

Now, do you understand what an outhouse was like when grandma was small?

“Yes, and I’m glad we have indoor bathrooms now, cause I’m small.

I’d fall right in that toilet hole with the flies, I’d smell so bad;

Mom would cry if she had to fish me out. That would be sad.

I’m glad grandma’s house is not antique anymore,

Cause in her day just going to the bathroom, was a chore!”