The Fast Stranger At Barker's Cake and Pastries Shop- a Narrative Poem

The Fast Stranger At Barker's Cake and Pastries Shop- A Narrative Poem One day at a cake shop, I met a man selling cats, For money he wanted to swap, But I really wanted some diplomats. "Got any diplomats?" asked I. "For that's how I'll spend my money." "No diplomats here!" said the guy. He seemed to find it quite funny. "We've got some lovely chips, I'll give you a very fine price." "I'd rather have some onion thrips." The man blinked rapidly thrice. The man seemed exceptionally impatient, And his manner was strangely amused. He wasn't what I would call abortifacient, Great disdain he noticeably oozed. Like others, he thought I was odd, Some say I'm a bit fast. Still he gave me a courteous nod, As if he thought I was plenty overcast. So in search of my goal I departed, But before the cake shop could I leave, The man came running full-hearted, "I can help you I believe." "Cats, diplomats, you shall find. Chips, onion thrips, you can get. You must now open your mind, And get down to Barker's Market. So to Barker's Market I decided to go, In search of the diplomats I craved. The winds it did eerily blow. But I felt that the day could be saved. There were stalls selling cats, Crisps in many shades. There were even stalls selling bats People were scattered from many trades I was greeted by a peculiar lady, She seemed to be rather fast I couldn't help thinking she might be quite shady. I wondered if she was at all overcast. Before I could open my mouth, She shouted, "For you, I have some diplomats!" I headed towards her, to the south, Past some chips and cats. "But how did you know?" I asked, "Do you want them or not?" she did say. Silently, the diplomats she passed. Then vanished before I could pay. As I walked away I hard a crackle Or was it, perhaps, a hushed cackle? 3/5/19 Written words by James Edward Lee Sr.©2019