The Tinkers

You cannot say tinker now.
It's simply not allowed.
If we are to be PC.
Not stand out from the crowd.

I love the way tinker sounds.
Memories from my youth. 
Shrouded in woolly blankets.
Scary to tell the truth.

Turf fire smell and welly boots.
Bare legs beneath long skirts.
Strange accents from strange places.
It made them seem uncouth.

Wooden wagons on winding roads.
Cartwheels clanking in a row.
The clip clop of horses' hooves.
Their campfires all aglow.

"Spare a copper for the wane,"
is what they used to say.
The baby tucked inside the shawl.
Perhaps another on the way.

You cannot say tinker now.
That's a word from long ago.
A proud people with unique culture.
I was there, that's how I know.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 1/5/2019 2:09:00 PM
Hello Jean, this is a great poem. you are right no one says Tinker any more. This is so true. But i can think it. Have a nice day my friend.
Login to Reply
Murray Avatar
Jean Murray
Date: 1/5/2019 2:14:00 PM
Hello again Darlene and thank you for your visit.
Date: 1/3/2019 2:36:00 PM
Love this, but I guess I do not understand why you can't say tinker. I wonder if we can even say gypsies now! I still say Indians but I hear that is "out" now too! I see you won a contest. Big congrats
Login to Reply
Murray Avatar
Jean Murray
Date: 1/3/2019 6:23:00 PM
Hi Andrea. It's now seen as a derogatory term which is a shame. I hope you and yours are well. Thank you for your visit.
Date: 1/3/2019 4:49:00 AM
A well deserved winner, in the contest. Jean. took me back to that time,,love this..
Login to Reply
Murray Avatar
Jean Murray
Date: 1/3/2019 9:25:00 AM
Thank you for stopping by my halting site Harry.
Date: 1/2/2019 6:27:00 PM
I have watched many movies with these freedom loving people Jean. I have seen their colorful wagons now almost all gone. I so enjoyed your poem. I am not sure which contest this won in but I certainly want to Congratulate you all the same! Happy New Year my friend! xxoo : )
Login to Reply
Date: 1/2/2019 5:10:00 PM
The imagery you painted is so authentic --it stems from first hand memory. You gave the people and the culture a voice that's been missing for some time. BIG congrats for your well deserved win, Jean.
Login to Reply
Murray Avatar
Jean Murray
Date: 1/2/2019 5:16:00 PM
And you always give me a BIG boost Vijay. Thank you.
Date: 1/2/2019 4:29:00 PM
Love the wonderful flow,Jean, life is all strange. Congratulations on your win.. Hugs Eve
Login to Reply
Murray Avatar
Jean Murray
Date: 1/2/2019 5:04:00 PM
Hug you back lovely lady.
Date: 1/1/2019 2:31:00 PM
Wonderful poem, Jean. Well penned. Congrats on your win.
Login to Reply
Murray Avatar
Jean Murray
Date: 1/1/2019 3:09:00 PM
Thank you Line.
Date: 12/29/2018 10:12:00 AM
Jean, this poem is lovely and so much more! I felt transported to another time and place... and warned that "pc" can rob us of language and history. This is a FAV for me! Congratulations!
Login to Reply
Murray Avatar
Jean Murray
Date: 12/29/2018 12:02:00 PM
That's so true! A culture like that is so deeply embedded, it's like touching one's own roots. Thank you for stepping back in time with me P.S.
Date: 12/29/2018 8:36:00 AM
This is a gorgeous write! Congrats! Fave!
Login to Reply
Murray Avatar
Jean Murray
Date: 12/29/2018 11:58:00 AM
Hi Kim. I always write best about things I have vivid memories of. Thank you.
Date: 12/29/2018 2:05:00 AM
There are not many poems about tinkers, and my contest gave a chance to remedy that. Well done for your sterling second place in it, Joyce. Julia, :)
Login to Reply
Murray Avatar
Jean Murray
Date: 12/29/2018 2:47:00 AM
I'm thrilled it placed so high Julia and thank you.
Date: 12/14/2018 10:27:00 PM
Nicely done Jean... but I've never seen a tinker ... maybe I'm too young... LOL Happy Holidays.
Login to Reply
Salehi Avatar
Pashang Salehi
Date: 12/15/2018 6:08:00 PM
Thank you my dear...
Murray Avatar
Jean Murray
Date: 12/15/2018 2:16:00 AM
Hello Pashang and Merry Xmas to you too. Nowadays the politically correct term is travelling community. I remember one of them having a baby girl and calling her Gypsy.
Date: 12/13/2018 11:53:00 AM
- A time you never forget, a great poem Jean :) - I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Login to Reply
Murray Avatar
Jean Murray
Date: 12/14/2018 12:49:00 PM
Ditto Anna-Lise. Hard to believe it's that time again.
Date: 12/13/2018 11:05:00 AM
I've got gypsies tramps and thieves going through my head Jean, what a fascinating informative poem:-) hugs Jan xx
Login to Reply
Awtry Avatar
P.S. Awtry
Date: 12/29/2018 3:48:00 PM
Cher?
Murray Avatar
Jean Murray
Date: 12/14/2018 12:48:00 PM
Thank you Jan. Your idea reminds me of that song from long ago but I can't remember the singer.
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter