Home » Poems » Daniel Turner » Hucksters

Hucksters

You'd hear them every morning Like a band of baritones The echoes of the horseshoes Clacking, on the cobblestones Each huckster with a wagon Pulled behind a blindered roan Parading back and forth between The rows of old brownstones One would have fresh vegetables And one would have fresh fruits Another might have leather goods Like saddles, shoes or boots From furniture to pots and pans Each peddler resolute But if you looked then walked away They'd follow in pursuit Some just made deliveries Likes eggs, or milk, or ice Regardless of their service Each one friendly, each one nice Though some might have a gimmick Like a special, to entice If you had bought from them before They might just drop their price. By Daniel Turner

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/29/2023 6:04:00 PM

Here is a cute one i somehow missed. I love how you use such good rhythm in your poetry, Danny

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 3/23/2023 9:20:00 AM

Love this. Peddlers were fascinating to me because they got to travel everywhere and they had such interesting things to sell-especially in the old west. Reminds me of old England, too...the beginning of the Sherlock Holmes Mysteries has the sounds of the horseshoes clacking on the cobblestones. :)

Daniel Turner
Date: 3/23/2023 9:24:00 AM

Thank you, Linda. Some of the older cities on the east coast still have some cobblestone streets. It is a very distinct sound horses make on them. Great to see you this morning. Have a wonderful day:)

Ken Rone

Date: 5/6/2021 3:55:00 PM

Wonderful piece. Is that first hand or imagined? If the former where and what era?

Daniel Turner
Date: 5/6/2021 4:09:00 PM

Thank you Ken, The inspiration for this poem came when i was watching an old black and white movie, I would guess the time period to have been somewhere around the early 1900's.in the New York- Pennsylvania area.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 5/3/2021 5:27:00 PM

Ah, I remember those days well. (Not really. I just have vague memories of that era, which was rapidly ending when I was 5 - 6 years old). But those cobblestone roads! They sure did a number on my parents' car! Nice, nostalgic piece, Daniel! :) gw

Daniel Turner
Date: 5/3/2021 8:14:00 PM

Thank you Gershon. We didn't have cobblestone roads where I was raised. i got the inspiration for this one from an old black and white movie. i appreciate you dropping by to read and comment.

Alexis Y.

Date: 5/2/2021 7:38:00 AM

Hi Daniel, What a well-written nostalgic write. I remember a man in the neighborhood that I grew up in, in a truck selling food such as fruit and vegetables; he would get on the speaker and say,” A buck a bag” your poem caused me to think of that. I enjoyed the read. Have a wonderful day:-) Alexis

Daniel Turner
Date: 5/2/2021 8:26:00 AM

Thank you, Alexis. To write a poem that stirs a memory is what every poet wants to do. i appreciate your kindness and hope you have a wonderful Sunday afternoon.

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 5/2/2021 2:10:00 AM

These are old memories for me. Now we are littered with trucks, plus cars that are always over speeding.

Daniel Turner
Date: 5/2/2021 4:41:00 AM

Have you lived in Malta all of your life. Victor? I appreciate you stopping by to read and comment. I hope you and yours are well:)

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 5/2/2021 1:45:00 AM

Enjoyed this one and the title! Blessings, Daniel!

Daniel Turner
Date: 5/2/2021 4:38:00 AM

Thank you Kim. I appreciate it. Have a blessed Sunday:)

Brandy Nicole

Date: 5/1/2021 8:04:00 PM

Even though I wasn't around for those days, I know of them- from stories, of course. Such vivid images you paint with your words. I have played Horseshoes, a time or two. Soft smile. :) Brandy

Daniel Turner
Date: 5/1/2021 8:14:00 PM

I love throwing horseshoes:) Thank you dropping by and brightening up my evening, Brandy I always enjoy your friendly visits.

Janice Canerdy

Date: 5/1/2021 7:21:00 PM

Such a well-written, enjoyable poem, Danny. When I was a kid, there were "rolling stores" that came through the little communites in my area. I remember buying stuff. Janice

Daniel Turner
Date: 5/1/2021 7:38:00 PM

I wrote an early poem about it called "The Old Man and The Mule"

Daniel Turner
Date: 5/1/2021 7:37:00 PM

Thank you, Janice. We lived so far out in the sticks, although we had a small community, rarely did we see a stranger. There was one old man who would come around. in the early spring. He had an old mule and a wagon but he had implements in the wagon and he would unhitch his mule and plow up your garden for you for a few dollars. Wonderful to see you again. You doing OK?

Judy Ball

Date: 5/1/2021 6:56:00 PM

As i read I had a mental picture of the horse drawn wagon and the man trying to sell something to earn his way in the world. Well done with great imagery. God Bless, JB

Daniel Turner
Date: 5/1/2021 7:32:00 PM

Thank you, Judy. The idea came from watching an old black and white movie. I am glad you liked it. I hope all is well with you and yours:)

John Lawless

Date: 5/1/2021 5:04:00 PM

Sad to day Daniel I am old enough to remember the horse drawn wagon. There weren't many left but we heard the clip-clop of the horse and if we were the "lucky" kid that day they'd let you ride in the wagon for a few blocks and deliver the goods to the three deckers

Daniel Turner
Date: 5/1/2021 5:26:00 PM

I hope I didn't depress you. LOL Back when everything moved a little slower. It may sound silly, but I wish we still lived during those days. I suppose now we are the dinosaurs John, still dodging tar pits. Thank you for the visit.

Robert Pettit

Date: 5/1/2021 4:44:00 PM

Como sta, paisan! I remember them years ago when I lived in a rowhome in South Philadelphia. However, they went around in trucks. I'm not old enough to remember when they used horse-drawn wagons. Nice write.

Robert Pettit
Date: 5/2/2021 6:51:00 PM

When I lived there, Veterans Stadium did not exist yet. The site is now the parking lot for Citizen's Bank Park. The Italian Market is on south Ninth Street, and is still thriving today. That's where Rocky Balboa was seen running in the movie.

Daniel Turner
Date: 5/1/2021 5:23:00 PM

Thank you, Robert. I appreciate your support. South Philly, huh? Anywhere near old Veterans Stadium or the produce market?

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 5/1/2021 1:46:00 PM

Great pen Daniel with nice rhyme and flow along with real smoothness. Is hucksters an American thing? Never heard of such in Scotland. Take care, Gordon

Daniel Turner
Date: 5/1/2021 2:01:00 PM

It is just another name for street vendors, Gordon. Back when vendors would go door to door selling their wares. Thank you for dropping by to read and comment.

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 5/1/2021 12:23:00 PM

Hello Daniel. I remember this from my childhood. Many folks bought plenty of items from these hucksters .I hope all is well with you. enjoy your day my friend.

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 5/2/2021 10:32:00 AM

Hello Daniel, oh i did not know this. Thank you Daniel, I hope all is well withyu and you enjoy your day. Your friend, Darlene

Daniel Turner
Date: 5/1/2021 12:49:00 PM

Thank you Darlene, Yes they were the original mom and pop stores we have today. I appreciate your kindness Darlene and hope you are having a wonderful day.