The Perambulator

It squeaked as it slowly rolled out the door Trundled out the rusty gate Over the sunken wooden bridge and onto the sandy sidewalk. The daily trudge had begun. Nestled and nurtured within were the lives of her family And children Babies! Indeed! Within were no laughing, lounging, cute or chubby faces Certainly no cozy, comfy blankie washed in Downey detergent nor dried with Bounce sheets No, nothing of the sort. Yet, her babies lay there-in. It ambled down the dusty, dry, brick-filled street Towards the rendevouz amid stares and glares and thoughtful wondering glances. This was no gleeful walk of fame for Truly sometimes it felt like a walk of shame But continue it must On this journey for there is purpose and an end game. Men, women and children congregate at the corner Craning their necks They eagerly await a glimpse of the perambulator Children suddenly gleefully clap and dance as they espy its approach Anxious to see the babies! Squeak, squeakity, squeak Jerk, jerkity, jerk It rumbles and rocks and staggers Slowly, purposefully, it comes to a graceful, grateful halt Tired And worn And thankful At its favourite spot. Through the years and seasons The tattered spotless hood had protected and Shaded her precious treasures The huge discoloured, spoked wheels Had rolled hundred of miles, hundred of times – not for pleasures. Hood removed; babies revealed. Clamour arises -a congregation in worship Bills in hand; coins jingling- Everyone desiring to give and get their share. Some fried; some baked Some sweet; some savoury Some crunchy; some soft All so very edible and tasty! These are her babies- The wares she plied everyday from the perambulator! T’was because of these babies, she fed her babies T’was because of these babies, she took care of her babies These babies brought help These babies brought hope These babies brought healing Without the perambulator There’d be no daily rendevouz for these babies. The perambulator brought her fame-a name-“pram lady”; peace of mind; friends of various kinds. For all this and more she is thankful And it all began when she brought home THE PERAMBULATOR. ©2020/02/20