What is a flea market? I asked, unsure.
I found all kinds of things not found in the mall.
Antiques that brought memories back
Things I have never seen anywhere else
Things I knew I would never see or find anywhere else again
Home made things from creative people
Shiny things, feathery things, things of leather.
I was overjoyed when I discovered you can lug stuff to a cashier.
She will make you a pile and give you a number.
My number should have been JACKPOT
My pile was huge.
\My sister was askance.
My car is not big enough for all that, she told me.
Not to worry, I replied as they lugged a ten foot suit of armor to the register.
I have had to rent a truck to bring that guy home.
The women were busy pointing out features, making change.
It was Saturday, and their flea market booth was crowded
In the back I could see the prettiest thing in the booth
He was about three years old, sitting in a little hammock
Singing to himself, as his mom and aunt made a living.
I admired their ingenuity, rigging him a little swing.
His song was his own, but his intent was true.
He was bringing joy and hope into the booth.
I began coming back to this booth often,
For a glimpse of this darling child.
I am watching a flipper show
Where pairs of two
Run around
A Flea market
Making deals
Competing with the other pair
The entire show Intrigues me
Delights me
Excites me
I want power tools
And goggles now
Which is ridiculous
When you realize I am afraid of a glue gun.
I really wanted a chainsaw
For my birthday once
I got it too
Sadly my wing span
Was not long enough
To pull the cord
I had an electric
Mower at the same time
But of course I ran over
Her power cord making her rather useless
Here I sit in my Lazy-girl, watching others with fascination.
Spent today at a Flea Market with she,
All for nothing, nothing for free,
Bought some clothes for she,
A potplant for me, no weed,
Food and books I didn't need,
All for nothing, nothing for free,
Anything old was new again,
Vendors on the gravy train,
All for nothing, nothing for free,
But, I had fun today with she,
Sunshine and good company,
Simple things in life are free,
Flea market was such fun with she!
a flea market trip
is like a journey through time
never standing still
A DOG GOES TO FLEA MARKET
A dog goes to flea market with foam in the mouth,
Faces the music of flea , bought fleas with a crown;
They are ectoparasite
Distant cousins of a mite
'O Finger lickin' good', they say with their hands down.
© Rajat Kanti Chakrabarty 2014
A Visit To The Flea Market
By Elton Camp
Over 200 vendors the sign does say
Leave the Interstate to come our way
For here you’ll find bargains galore
How could you possibly ask for more
The advertising signs made us bite
We wanted to learn if they’re right
As soon as we went through the door
There was a stench we did abhor
Of moldy old things that are unclean
I’m sure that you know what I mean
Who would ever once have thunk
There could be such overpriced junk
“Oh, but they’re treasures,” some say
But we didn’t come to see it that way
Tacky figurines were laying everywhere
Even if they’re free, what would we care
There was Elvis on velvet poorly drawn
It was enough to produce such a yawn
Two cherubs an ugly lamp did support
From China it was a sleazy import
We saw a sofa faded, worn and torn
It was surely made before I was born
But then, what a pleasant surprise
The object that fell before my eyes
It was a magnificent moose head
Just right to go above my bed
With it under my arm, I went out the door
Very glad that I stopped at that fine store
The outdoor flea market is where everyone goes.
It is a place to find great deals as anyone knows.
Each weekend for five months out of the year,
bargain hunters show up in droves here.
From early morning, through most of the day,
merchants at rented tables place their goods on display.
If you want to buy second-hand things or a fine antique,
there are good chances sellers have what you seek.
Local farmers come to sell their fresh produce.
Vendors sell food from hot dogs to orange juice.
Do you have something to sell? This is the place to be around.
If you have unwanted clutter on your home ground,
a buyer for your articles can often be found.
The flea market is a great place to spend a weekend.
All kinds of merchandise are bought and sold to no end.
Long before dawn
we find
the most incredible
silent energy.
A line of cars
and trailers
packed with
questionable treasures
idle,
waiting for their
booth assignments.
In the field,
in the light of headlights
hushed merchants
set up their tents
and tables startled
only by an occasional
tent pole striking
the pavement.
Some, self satisfied,
have been set up for hours,
these are the "professionals",
who calmly wait for the start.
Various degrees of chaos
marked the rest
as they try to decide
how to best present their
once prized,
nostalgia wrapped,
discarded, rejected,
hopefully priced right,
wares.
In the half light
a question permeates the air.
It is a question that goes back in time
before mini-vans and pick-ups
to push carts and horse carts
and before.
Will I make enough to cover
the booth fee?
Will I sell enough to cover
the check I wrote to pay
the booth fee?
Will I make enough to pay
rent, feed my children?
What will I do if this doesn't
work?
Dealers arriving
Merchandise appearing.
Bargain hunters searching
Treasures departing.
Dealers exiting
with pockets a-jingling.
anxiety,
big brown bag
cash, cash, cash
daybreak
earlybirds, eager, enter
forward, follow
gorgeous
hats
igloo icechests
junk, junk
kettles
lamps, lanterns, luminous lights
moving men making money
nice
old ottoman
purchase, purses, please
questions, quick
reasonable red robe
still sealed salad shooter, spend, spend, spend
trimmers, trees, thousands treasures
unopened umbrellas
video viewers
with warranty
x-mas,
yellow yarn, YAWN!
ZERO.....
everything has a price.
you like that vase?
for you, $10.
the lamp over there?
you have a good eye, lets work through some numbers.
a daughters heart?
talk to her father,
he'll give you a good price
on damaged merchandise.