Tom Cunningham Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

picture credit -  quotes gram .com

 

 

In the 1800s conmen travelled the American west selling a worthless concoction that was supposed to cure everything, often they would have friends in the crowd who swore that they had been cured of some illness, they became known as the snake oil men.

By the time people realised that they had been conned snake oil man had already left town.

(  Real snake oil taken from Chinese water snakes is supposed to have some healing properties )

 

I got the inspiration from a joke about snake oil man I heard many years ago.

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Snake Oil Man

In a covered wagon he travelled west 
For every ailment he had a cure
His miracle oil he claimed was the best 
People he conned were the sick and the poor.

In remote towns he would set up his scam
Helped by two' friends' in the crowd for his trick
Who' volunteered' but were part of the sham
Arthur the cripple and poor sighted Mick.

But they were fed up of his trickery
And exposed him to the crowd in the town 
The conman shouted" Mick what can you see"?
Mick said "nothing, I heard Arthur fall down"

Snake oilman was speechless and he went pale
The townsfolk seized him and threw him in jail.



Written on 30th December 2018

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Sam Kauffman March 11, 2020 at 1:24 PM Somehow truth always outs the deceiver! It's the old saying - what goes around comes around. This is delightful Tom. Made me smile with its inherent wisdom! Congratulations on your HM. Over for over! Tom Cunningham March 11, 2020 at 2:58 PM Thank you Sam, things certainly catch up with them in the end. Tom.

Robert L. Hinshaw September 29, 2019 at 12:57 PM Great poem, Tom - my kind of poetry talking about history and the old days and certainly worthy of inclusion in Sandy's book! Glad you enjoyed Abandoned School House and thx for your kind comment. Bob Tom Cunningham September 29, 2019 at 1:15 PM Thank you very much Bob, I'm pleased you liked it. I've always enjoyed westerns' and must have read every book louis Lamour ever wrote. Regards. Tom

February 14, 2019 at 2:05 PM Nice Poem Tom! I would be interested in including this poem in a book I am working on - to go with a beautifully restored Snake Oil wagon photo at the Draft Horse Classic. If interested, please email me: [email protected] Tom Cunningham February 14, 2019 at 3:19 PM Thank you Michael, have emailed you. Tom.

Vladislav Raven January 15, 2019 at 10:06 AM Hi Tom, it amazes me how people could be taken in by these people, then again, if you have some serious ailment, you might try anything. This is an excellent write Tom. He got what he deserved in the end. It is sad that even in this time there are people who try to cheat you out of your money. Have a wonderful Tuesday. Your friend always....Mike. Tom Cunningham January 16, 2019 at 10:36 AM Thank you Mike, these scoundrels offered false hope and they were desperate to try anything and you're right, even today they are still there many hiding behind computer screens. Tom.

Eve Roper January 6, 2019 at 9:05 AM Well, that's what happens when you lie and cheat. Nice sonnet, Tom. Hugs Eve~`* Tom Cunningham January 6, 2019 at 11:14 AM Thank you Eve, sadly they're still around trying to fleece people. Tom.

Anne-Lise Andresen January 4, 2019 at 4:14 AM - Such "medicine men / women" ... there were many ... (cheating and trickery) ... to make money ... but many believed in the miracle medicine .... a great story ... I think we find it today too ... just in another way - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Tom Cunningham January 4, 2019 at 5:35 AM Thank you Sunshine, sadly you are right , they still prey on the weak and vulnerable usually behind a computer screen. Tom.

Jean Murray January 2, 2019 at 4:53 PM Tom, sneaky snake man got his comeuppance, not his tuppence! Tom Cunningham January 3, 2019 at 2:50 AM Haha love it Jean, happy new year to you and yours. Tom.

Kim Rodrigues January 2, 2019 at 2:03 PM I love it! So there is some healing properties in snake oil...giggle! Tom Cunningham January 2, 2019 at 2:41 PM Well I was surprised too, apparently Chinese labourers working for the Pacific railroad used a concoction of water snake oil to ease aches and pains , not the stuff sold by the conmen. Tom.

Timothy Mcguire January 1, 2019 at 6:15 PM Nice poem! I wonder if he got bail Tom Cunningham January 2, 2019 at 2:39 AM Haha, no chance Timothy. Happy new year. Tom.

Carolyn Devonshire January 1, 2019 at 1:51 PM Amazingly, this type of thing did happen, Tom, and people in towns out West were taken in by the crafty salesman. Even though laws prohibiting the sale of worthless medications are in place, people now sue companies whose products don't deliver as promised. Very good selection of theme, my friend, and your well-penned sonnet reveals an important part of our history. Happy New Year, Tom! Love to you and your family, Carolyn (If you return to Florida, let me know.) Tom Cunningham January 1, 2019 at 3:34 PM They never went away, even today they con the old and vulnerable but always hiding behind a computer screen, they are the lowest of the low. I hope to return to Florida again and will certainly let you know when. I hope that you have a very happy new year too. Tom.

Nette Onclaud January 1, 2019 at 9:48 AM tom, come visit or when i'm in the US, let's meet...where?..happy new year!...huggs Tom Cunningham January 1, 2019 at 10:16 AM Hi Nette, happy new year. Last august I was in Florida not sure yet when I'm going back but it's on the cards. Would be great to meet up, I know some on here have done so. Any red will do. Tom.

Silent One January 1, 2019 at 8:26 AM Thanks for the lesson.. Brilliant poem Tom and great inspiration.. Sadly, this has been happening since the beginning of time.. Tom Cunningham January 1, 2019 at 9:16 AM Thanks S.O., there is always someone out to rob you one way or another. The internet is a breeding ground for these lowlifes' who prey on others. Tom.

Demetrios Trifiatis December 31, 2018 at 12:12 PM Amusing for nowadays but not for then my dear friend, Tom! Nicely written! Tom Cunningham December 31, 2018 at 3:26 PM Thanks Demetrios, their lack of conscience and greed conned many, sadly they're even about today. Tom

Andrea Dietrich December 31, 2018 at 11:05 AM good one, Tom. They were the early scammers of our time. Today they would be all over the internet!! Tom Cunningham December 31, 2018 at 3:22 PM Thanks Andrea, you're right , they're all over the net now, scamming people and getting away with it. Tom

Alexis Y. December 31, 2018 at 8:15 AM Hi Tom, You are such a great story teller. Sooner or later a man such as this will get found out about. Serves that "slickster" right. I enjoyed the read:-) Alexis Tom Cunningham December 31, 2018 at 8:22 AM Thanks Alexis, karma gets them in the end. Hope you have a happy new year. Tom..

Caren Krutsinger December 31, 2018 at 8:00 AM Snake Oil Man! Snake Oil Man! I love this poem, and the term "snake oil man'. I cannot quit saying it, as it triggers something in the deep recesses of my mind. Maybe I lived back in the day? Thanks for a really funny story/poem Tom. Tom Cunningham December 31, 2018 at 8:02 AM Thank you Caren, they were the smooth talking sales men who could sell a fridge to an eskimo.lol. Happy new year. Tom.

Jennifer Proxenos December 31, 2018 at 7:37 AM Hi Tom, A fun poem and well researched. Still lots of modern ones around though! Happy wishes, Jennifer. Tom Cunningham December 31, 2018 at 8:01 AM Thanks Jennifer, you're right now they stay hidden behind screen on the net. Enjoy the celebrations. Tom.

Vijay Pandit December 31, 2018 at 7:18 AM A well deserved punishment for the snake oil man.. .good story Tom. Nette Onclaud December 31, 2018 at 2:24 PM tom, i'm from the philippines--- come on over!..huggs Tom Cunningham December 31, 2018 at 7:25 AM Thank you Vijay, hope you and yours have a happy and healthy new year. Best wishes. Tom

Nette Onclaud December 31, 2018 at 6:14 AM what an enjoyable read so well handled, tom.. you are a man of surprises!... it's 4 hours to go before 2019 comes... let me greet you a happy new year! thanks for the friendship!...huggs Tom Cunningham January 1, 2019 at 2:32 AM The mystery is solved, I always thought you were in the US, if I'm ever down that way I'll pop in (always keep a bottle of red wine handy lol) Nette Onclaud December 31, 2018 at 2:25 PM tom, i;m from the philippines.. come on over!...huggs Tom Cunningham December 31, 2018 at 6:57 AM Thank you Nette, I'm curious , which country are you in, we have 11 hours to go. Hope you have a wonderful 2019. Tom.

Charles Messina December 31, 2018 at 5:21 AM I love this Tom. Your knowledge of history always amazes me. Thanks for the lessons. Great write! Been busy, I hope you had a nice Christmas and I wish you a very joyful and Happy New Year dear friend. Charlie Tom Cunningham December 31, 2018 at 5:45 AM Thank you Charlie, Christmas was hectic but I wouldn't have it any other way, hope you had a good one too. Best wishes for 2019, hope it brings good health and happiness to you and yours. Tom.

Connie Marcum Wong December 30, 2018 at 7:55 PM I love how this ended Tom! There were these ruthless people who profited off of someone who was in need of help and I think he deserved what he got! There are plenty of conmen and women on the internet now and we must be aware. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is! Have a great New Year my friend! : ) xxoo Tom Cunningham December 31, 2018 at 2:57 AM Thank you Connie, its sad when you hear of elderly folk with no family to look out for them getting conned by ruthless predators. Happy new year. Tom.

Gershon Wolf December 30, 2018 at 6:40 PM Shades of "The Duke and The Dauphin" from 'Huckleberry Finn.' Well-done, Tom! Happy 2019 to you! ~ Gershon Tom Cunningham December 31, 2018 at 2:59 AM Thanks Gershon, it was a joke I heard years ago but not funny when people get conned for real. Hope it brings you all things good on 2019. Tom

Harry Horsman December 30, 2018 at 5:42 PM Your wonderful story, Tom, gives it a touch of poetic justice...love it...Happy New Year...Harry Tom Cunningham December 30, 2018 at 6:03 PM Thanks Harry, glad you enjoyed it. Happy new year to you as well. Regards. Tom.

Jan Allison December 30, 2018 at 5:11 PM I don't know the joke love the ending he couldn't avoid jail even though he was a slippery customer:-) hugs Jan xx Tom Cunningham December 30, 2018 at 5:20 PM They should be strung up those that prey on the old and vulnerable sometimes scamming them out of their life savings. Tom Cunningham December 30, 2018 at 5:18 PM Thanks Jan, I'll see if I can find the joke and send it to you. Tom. Jan Allison December 30, 2018 at 5:15 PM so many scammers around Tom another one today about fake Microsoft callers asking for money - can't believe people fall for it but they do:-( hugs Jan xx

P.S. Awtry December 30, 2018 at 5:04 PM Good story with justice after all :) Tom Cunningham December 30, 2018 at 5:07 PM Thanks P.S. , it amazes me how even today people buy worthless cures off the internet that cause more harm than good. Tom.