Gypsies

They set up tents by their big ol' cadillacs Up the road a-piece from our little house In a vacant lot where nothing but weeds grew. Momma said, "Don't you go up there and stare At them. They might steal you away." And so, I stayed a good distance, but I went up. They looked like normal rich folks to me Except they dressed real strange, Big-bosomed women wearing flowered skirts With ruffled blouses in summer's heat Men in wide-brimmed hats and bright-colored shirts Going about tending the blazing campfires. That night Papa said, "Be sure to lock up The shed. They might steal everything we got." And we did, locked it up, but far as I know Nothing was missing the next morning. I went up again because my curiosity Was stoked, and I got a little closer to see Better. They were loading up their trailers Moving on to some more lucrative place. FIFTH PLACE WINNER "2021 Most Significant Poem" Poetry Contest January 25, 2022