Hard These Days For a Crook

It’s hard these days for a crook.
Go anywhere around and take a look.
Ain’t no shops to rob of jewelry.
They all closed up and got security.
Not even restaurants for him to rob,
and at the grocers’ Lordy - what a mob!

It’s hard these days for a thief.
I wonder how he’s finding his relief.
Folks he used to rob out on the street
are staying home or downtown packing heat!
See a mugger; put him at unease.
If ya got no gun, pretend to sneeze.

What’s he gonna do? What’s he gonna do?
That crook, that thief, that louse. He’s in a stew.

Yeah, it’s hard these days for a crook.
How’s he gonna get any fishes on his hook.
Hard to burglarize both night AND day
with kids now home and never gone away.
Dad’s are even working from their houses -
some with bullets ready for the louses!

It’s hard these days for the thief.
The grocery stores don’t even have ground beef.
Cops now guard those stores, for heaven’s sake!
How’s the robber gonna get a break?
He best be wise and stay away from US!
In case somebody out there has the virus.

What’s he gonna do? What’s he gonna do?
That crook, that thief, that louse. He’s in a stew.

March 27, 2020  for  Richard Lamoureux's A-Muse-Sing Poetry Contest

I was thinking of that song "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" and got the idea to be sarastic about crooks. So this was inspired by that song (though it does not use that song's rapping format at all), and by the title of Richard's contest. Just trying to keep things light. The guns at gun shops here are selling like hotcakes.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

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Sergi Avatar
April 13, 2020 at 9:06 AM
Congratulations, Andrea! Great poem of a crook's dilemma. But the scams armor current.
Sergi Avatar
April 13, 2020 at 9:06 AM
OOPS! BUT THE SCAMS ARE MORE CURRENT
Andresen Avatar
April 12, 2020 at 12:29 PM
- Congratulations on your winning poem :) - // Anne-Lise :)
Watt Avatar
April 12, 2020 at 11:56 AM
Andrea, congrats on your #2 placement for your ode to the self-isolating thief! Happy Easter!
Dietrich Avatar
April 12, 2020 at 3:21 PM
thanks, john, I am amazed to see I placed high!
Laurie Avatar
March 30, 2020 at 10:04 PM
G'day Andrea … amusing indeed. I think their backup might be time in gaol with three meals, bed, television, and stay there until their choice of employment is available again - thank you Andrea - Lindsay
Sefunmi Avatar
March 30, 2020 at 9:17 AM
Wow, so hilarious! It is great reading this funny poem from you at a time when it appears the whole world is in despair..
Ligon Avatar
March 29, 2020 at 12:19 PM
Creative poem. It gave me a fresh perspective. My favorite line: "If ya got no gun, pretend to sneeze."
Allison Avatar
March 29, 2020 at 9:47 AM
aww my heart breaks for these low life's Andrea lol, what a fun take for the contest theme I hope it does well in the contest:-) hugs Jan xx
Wolf Avatar
March 28, 2020 at 9:52 PM
Hard times for everyone, it seems. LOL. Somehow, i don't think i'm starting a collection for these guys though. Smiles, Gershon
Merryman Avatar
March 28, 2020 at 1:44 PM
Ha! Ha! Such a funny and entertaining poem, Andrea! I enjoyed it. Blessings, Kim
One Avatar
March 28, 2020 at 9:38 AM
Haha! So true! With all the homes full the crook has no choice but to self isolate
Ball Avatar
March 28, 2020 at 9:36 AM
This one made me smile Andrea. We have to try to keep a stiff upper lip these days and if we can find something to make us smile then we really need that. Good job.Thanks for writing back. I'm on again off again due to health issues. Just got out of the hospital again. Doing okay though. feeling better. Thanks bunches. God Bless, JB
Somadas Avatar
March 28, 2020 at 4:46 AM
Wonderful imagination.. But crooks, they are more creative than a poet.. lol.. They will find their own ways to survive.. Just joking.. Now thieves and crooks in jail are more safe than the innocent people walking freely outside.. Takecare..
Y. Avatar
March 28, 2020 at 12:41 AM
WoW! All I can say is well done on the message and inspiration song. The weird thing is a thought about that song when I first started reading your poem. Well done . Best wishes in the contest and have a great weekend:-) Alexis
Watt Avatar
March 28, 2020 at 12:26 AM
Wait, isn't the plural for louse, lice? Just kidding! What a fun one Andrea! It's so true, everyone's either at home, or packing heat, or sneezing. So imaginative and clever... GL in Richard's contest ~ John
Adams Avatar
March 27, 2020 at 9:29 PM
it is hard on them... though we just had a trio of youngsters 18-20 rob three local stores, though all they got was charity jars of change and a bottle of soda, alarms went off, the police were able to get there quickly, videos captured good images and the tri were caught pretty quickly, but so true this is for the big cities where crime is steady... hard for them to find people to mug or stores to rob... good write! hugs
Michael Avatar
March 27, 2020 at 7:49 PM
Harder days are coming...and there's no Credit Crook Unions...They have to be better organized... or starve...A true write indeed...
Bauer Avatar
March 27, 2020 at 4:22 PM
ha! this is hilarious, andrea! well done!
Pandit Avatar
March 27, 2020 at 4:00 PM
You described their dilemma perfectly: What’s he gonna do? What’s he gonna do? That crook, that thief, that louse. He’s in a stew...hard times for poor souls.
Smith Avatar
March 27, 2020 at 3:29 PM
You just about broke my heart with this sad tail Andrea, poor little fella, Somebody else now to worry about...
Andresen Avatar
March 27, 2020 at 3:03 PM
- ... he must do as all the rest of us ... STAY HOME ... a fun poem, Andrea - Good luck in the contest :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Leffanta Avatar
March 27, 2020 at 1:21 PM
"If ya got no gun, pretend to sneeze" must be the winning line! Aloha! Rico
Cunningham Avatar
March 27, 2020 at 1:12 PM
Well written Andrea, no sympathy for the crook these days, the days of glamorous crooks like Butch cassidy and the sun dance kid and Bonnie and Clyde are over. Hope you're well stay safe Tom
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