Short Peddlers Poems

A Roto-dent toothbrush of mine
Once said “Where the heck did you dine?’
there’s bits of Swiss chard
Next too white fried cod
And pumpkin seeds by your canine?

Just then the cell phone ding-a-lings
calls out “I’ve got just the thing!’
that new water pick
will soon do the trick
“Howdy-Do DING-A-LING-ling?”...

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The wind may blow from east to west. 
A tattered vest across your chest. 
His legs do carry him as far as they may go.
The clouds a vision of objects; Reflecting in your mind.
The days are long and weary, But your life is pressed for time.
Travel on frail peddler; As far as your legs may go.
Dare to live your hopes, your dreams, to fill your heart and soul....

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Old peddler wanted a new home design.
He hired Mable, a decorator, and all was fine.
Until she decided to redecorate him too.
I don’t want to change he said, I am ninety-two.

Mable was forceful, she did not hear the word no.
She took lots of his money, and created some woe.
He sits outside his house now, for it reminds him of her.
A bossy overbearing woman, who felt like a bur....

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Ma and Pop
pop and ma
the small needle
the big darn.

Little shop of peddlers
first to be robbed,
accused of being
gougers.

Ma wants to move to Florida,
pa wants to expand
the jerky sticks shelving.

Locals know them,
they shop with Ma & Pop
because their near -
they sell beer.

First to go the way
of the dodo,
last to hang around
backs against the wall
old and shaky,
filling in the blanks
in our coloring books....

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Crumble
brothels sprout
flesh peddlers collect their fees
selling daughters
in twos and threes
Lopez or Diaz
lazy or defiant
escaped
in polluted lagoons
the virus spreads

Dancing with the dead
priests absolve the devils
in their mist
Pilar sold her virginity
for a few bars of gold
wrapped in an old ladies hatred
she murdered her vows

Mexico is a land of smiles
the knife only glints
in the Aztec sun
as they bury you
after eating your heart...

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