JUNKMAN  


8 JUNKMAN 

I was aroused today 
from my one-sided world 
by a harsh cry, 
and looking up I saw 
the old Junk man, 
his cart and horse. 
And there was music in his cry!
The long drawn out R...ag B....one 
the clipper-clopper of the horse.
And underneath like rolling drums
dull rumbling 
of the rough cart wheels. 

I looked at passers-by 
who scurried on,
intent upon their own affairs,
as I had been a moment back,
and thought are they all deaf?

But then I saw the impact 
of these two
was not just sound.
I watched the frail cart 
as it climbed the hill,
a tipple-topple pile of books, 
an old tin bath 
some ragged clothes, 
and battered carry-cot.
 
Just like a king, 
the little man
sat perched upon the top.
While patiently submissive
to the man,
the horse with body steaming
in the wintry air, 
in powerful rhythm pounded
out of sight.

They stood apart in my mind 
all the day, 
that man and horse.
They had 'a way of life' 
those two,
a dignified simplicity
as folk who need so little 
often have!