David Upton - Emigratory Rhymes

Market Days

new homes wanted for abandoned dogs
lorries all loaded up with logs
meat and cheese and onion pies
and bras of every shape and size
garden tools and water hose
one euro bags of beef tomatoes
cans of famous brand baked beans
millions of pairs of denim jeans
kindling wood all chopped for fires
car windscreen wipers full of fliers
caravans full of nuts and sweets
different cheeses and different meats
toys for children lots to choose
fruits and vegetables you can’t refuse
stalls with a thousand souvenirs
 the cries and shouts of marketeers
all you need for swimming pools
and a vast variety of other tools
t-shirts shorts for sunny weather
shoes and boots in genuine leather
african carvings carefully done
people just relaxing in the sun
music blaring down the street
makes you smile and tap your feet
fresh chickens turning on the spit
lots of clothes which never fit
so much choice hard to decide
café con leché sitting outside
plastic glasses and tableware
plastic flip-flops one euro the pair
heavy carrier bags shoulders stooped
people in conversations grouped
litter scattered on the ground
whirlwinds blowing it round and round
going cheap check the sell-by date
hoping the scales provide correct weight
flowers for sweethearts and wives too
best value stalls always have a queue
a market occurs each day of the week
easy to become a market freak
everything you need on full display
that’s what it’s like on market day

Copyright © David Upton 2009