Rag Man

R is for

Rag Man
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Hot summer,s day
Time hangs heavy
Only the buzzing of flies
And the distant thrum of the metal works
Disturbs the tenemented streets
Children lie about the pavement
Too tired to move
Then the clip clopping of hooves
And the parping shriek of a bugle rends the air
Kids spring into action
"Rag man....rag man!!!!"
Running into homes for cast off clothes
To swap for balloons
Mothers chasing them trying to save
Dad,s best suit and her best dress
"Bring that back ya wee buggers!!!"
"they,re yir dad,s Sunday shoes!!"
The parp parp of the horn and the neighing of the horse
Draws the children like flies to a jeely piece
"Gie,s a balloon mister,here,s an auld tie"
"I want a red balloon, here,s ma maws auld skirt"
The rag man collects the weans, offerings
Gives out the prizes
Parps his bugle
And moves on
The street returns to torpor: