Short Shopkeepers Poems

'England is a nation of shopkeepers'
was never said by Bonaparte
but it was those self-same tradesmen
who kicked Napoleon’s arse
and
when at Waterloo they met
as he won the day
to give it a positive spin
one may only say,
"Wellington put the boot in!"
...

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A misty sky hovers over the bay
Awaiting the Majestic Princess
Suddenly appearing on the horizon
Like a garganuan beast plowing
Through frothy watery furrows,
Eager shopkeepers making ready
For bargain hunters their wares
Expensive doodads for souvenirs.

written November 17, 2021
in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico...

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In Moher Cliffs me wife bought some bling
A green stone and Celtic knot ring
What trilogy is this?
Three circles of bliss?
Could it be a sexual thing?

Author’s note: This limerick was envisioned near Limerick. However, we rather prefer Galway to Limerick. There are some very helpful shopkeepers we’ve met on this trip. Hats off to Sheenagh at the cliffs, Pat selling wool in Dublin, and the many calm and kind people here who have a great sense of humor....

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Cash
It’s king
Makes tills ring
But here’s the thing
What we call a till
I suspect, always will
According to my sister
(which, in slang is skin and blister)
In the U.S. is a register
But when tills (or registers) are ringing
Which explains why shopkeepers are singing
I watch, nonchalantly debating
It’s what I do while I’m waiting
How many words mean ‘money’
Well, pony and monkey
May be quite funky
But dough and bread
In my head
Still mean
Cash...

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