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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

Copyright © Daniel Turner | Year Posted 2021

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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 Login to Reply

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. :) Login to Reply 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? Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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! Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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.