A Bum of a Man
Don’t walk on the grass, no sleeping on the bench
Well if this don’t throw in that old monkey wrench
What was it bothering? Since no one else was here
Just old Hank and his stogie and his warm bottle of beer
Just fresh from the hall where he dined on that meal
Rice and gravy and a slice of what they called veal
But it’s free for the taking and pickings are slim
And to tell you the truth, it wasn’t bothering him
Well he looked left and right and set down for a rest
As he lit up a stogie and blew out a smoky breath
He sipped from the bottle and lay back his tired head
Then rolled up his jacket and then went to bed
Soon a uniformed officer was tapping with his stick
Said, don’t even think of pulling any of your tricks
He was hauled off to a site down off Third and Green
And thrown in the alley that cleanliness had never seen
The stench and noise kept him awake and alert
One never knew what to expect in this filth and dirt
Just as on cue, those hoodlums all arrived
As old Hank wondered to himself would he come out alive?
Just then a paddy wagon screeched to a halt real fast
As the hoodlums night didn’t have long to last
They also grabbed old Hank and threw him in the bus
Right next to an old con by the name of Handy Gus
A night in the slammer, fighting was their plea
As old Hank just shook his head and said “how can this be?”
Then just before breakfast, they set him free once again
As it’s back on the streets right where yesterday began
Was it his clothing or was it his beard? He really didn’t know
Whatever it was, they again ordered him out in the cold
Maybe it was his clothes, they were all ragged and torn
But if memory serves me correctly all roses do have thorns
He thought of the old days when Uncle Sam came to call
He joined to fight the japs although he was small
And this is his reward, boy ain’t life just grand
Go off to war and fight but now you’re just a bum of a man
Copyright © Will Karry | Year Posted 2014
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment