Helping Bobby close the shop
Cats rush through cracks in the alleyway.
The acrid scent of last week's fresh catch
looms through the smog while reggae
beats the sun below the horizon.
Shoppers haggle with weary shopkeepers.
Rivals yell:
Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese
Yiddish and English
there is understanding.
Artists and anarchists
on brick walls and lampposts
the street canvas composed
of black-fitted bohemians
and not yet wizened
newly horizoned
hippies from U.of T.
Bobby is cleaning up his shop
Shoeshine and Mundo
carry the load
Nelson and I
along for the ride.
Tiny tends the back
packing up salt fish and ackees
ambient authenticity
her surroundings
not unfamiliar.
Mangoes and ginger root
West Indian delights
punks and junkies
up for the night.
The shadows move.
At Baldwin and Kensington
anything goes anytime… but at night
night…
at night the junk has eyes.
Arguments and laughter
fill the void
between clapping dominoes
from the upper room
behind the chicken shop.
The restaurant in slumber
takes on its persona
the social club.
Please
no bullets tonight.
Better turn down the CD player
the roasted nuts as well
then pack away
the coconuts and yams
Bobby closes the shop.
Skaters in walkmans
laden with payload
flash past in packs
crossing the undercover cop
completing his shift
inside the coffee shop
by the corner window
always in his shades;
when night falls
the real traffic begins.
We drink homemade wine and sit
in front of the large window
at Bobby's flat above the shop.
The hip and hooked
enter the after-hours club
across the street.
I get drunk and pass out at two
then back up at six.
Kensington never dies.
- a tribute to Toronto's Kensington Market
and all of its heroes.
jp '92
Helping Bobby close the shop
-
John_Pickernell
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 9:03 pm
This is a very nice read, John. You would hardly believe how rare it is that a poem here includes decent description. "Tell" has a long lead over "show" at this place. I only have minor "nits" which I will spare you right now as a deadline approaches for a competion we are running.
I see you are new to this forum. May I introduce it as a friendly place where there are, however, occasions when spats burst into life.
It is not, regrettably,much of a place for developing writing talent. I would like to recommend a new poetry site at http://www.firesides.net/EPhelp.htm
The attraction there is that postings and critiques are anonymous. Judging is on the merits.
Good Luck and do share more of your work with us.
I see you are new to this forum. May I introduce it as a friendly place where there are, however, occasions when spats burst into life.
It is not, regrettably,much of a place for developing writing talent. I would like to recommend a new poetry site at http://www.firesides.net/EPhelp.htm
The attraction there is that postings and critiques are anonymous. Judging is on the merits.
Good Luck and do share more of your work with us.
!-
John_Pickernell
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 9:03 pm