Snapshot of a busker

Playing to nobody

It ain't much but it's somethin' I thought, tossing two coins into his hat.
The fella nodded, continuing in song.

"Where do you go to my lovely,
when you're alone in your bed"

A mother and daughter stopped,
the mother exchanging smiles with the busker.

" c'mon mum" the young girl said whist tugging on her mother's hand.
" You said we could got to maccy dees "

They turned on their heels.

" Have a nice day " hollered the busker,
" b***h " this barely audible.

"Tell me the thoughts that surround you
I want to look inside your head, yes I do"

A heavily pregnant lady and bag laden fella briefly paused,
" give 'im some money Tel, bless 'im,
looks like he could do wiv a good feed"

"Are you takin' the piss Rach, he's shite.
C'mon doll, we'll be 'ere all day uvver wise"

" Wankers" fell from the buskers mouth as they wandered off.
I chuckled, they didn't hear.

" I've seen all your qualifications
you got from the Sorbonne"

"Oy Marge come 'ere, this fellas playin' yer fav'rite.
Quick, uvver wise he'll be done"

Marge hurried over to Reg.

" Ahh, he's good ain't he. Give him a fiver Reg "

" A FIVER, you 'avin' a larf. I only paid free quid to go an' see Tom Jones "

Marge chuckled, " that was back in 1974 ya silly ol' sod.
Give 'im a fiver ya tight so and so"

Marge winked at the busker.

" 'Kin 'ell. There ya go son, that's me avin' a couple of pints less tonight. Cheers"

The busker smiled, winked at Marge.

" I know where you go to my lovely
when you're alone in your bed
I know the thoughts that surround you
'cause I can look inside your head."

Marge clapped enthusiastically, " More.... more... "

"C'mon you dozy cow, you'll be frowin' ya drawers at 'im next.
He'll be able ta use 'em to cover his car in the winta.."

Marge slapped his back

" Ya cheeky git " she said as they walked off.

As I turned away I could here the strains of " Morning has broken " starting..

Author's Note

Self indulgent piffle

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing story in the poem. I could vision the situation. My dear wife. A real bear in the morning. Thank you my friend for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Gee]

Thank you Coyote

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.

[tktk]

This is great and so full of life! you've made the authentic, yet unremarkable moments truly beautiful in this piece.

[Gee]

Thank you Miranda

[Tom]

Many famous and successful musicians began their careers this way, Rod Stewart for one springs to mind!

I think everyone should be made to do a little busking, table waiting or similar, for then we get to see the true nature of human character, not always very pleasant!

[Gee]

Not a bad idea Tom. Cheers

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Great loved this I went to city yesterday and listened to a classical guitarist he was wonderful busking
Good work

[Gee]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed

[Great Aunt Astri]

This is a wonderful 'self indulgent piffle' poem. A conversational poem like this is quite unusual but very effective. It is the sort of thing one could overhear in the street. I was amused by the Busker's half heard asides, but I was so glad that he was then able to sing 'Morning has broken'.

[Gee]

Glad you enjoyed the piffle. Thank you

[Great Aunt Astri]

You are welcome

[DIVYA]

A great portrayal of people making a living on the streets. An art honed to perfection by these roadside artists. Some sing beautifully, others tell tales or fortunes, still others just psyche us out. A very engaging story with things deeply human. The contempt of the busker, the indifference of some passers, the sense of humor and compassion of yet others, all painted expertly and realistically by your pen.

[Gee]

Thank you kindly young lady

[AriesGirl]

There's something so cheerful about this poem. It reads like a dance, and the imagery is so vivid without describing the setting at all. One of the most fun and still somewhat melancholy poems I've read in a while.

[Gee]

Thank you....

[emmajoy]

Brilliantly real, sad, funny, true life shown as poetry - tis a tale of two worlds with discord thrown in.

Read again: more than worthy realism. Dancing dialogue. Placed very cleverly. Brilliant black and white movie stuff.. lighting dim.. attitudes dimmer. Fine writing. Think the busket could just be you in disguise. Whatever, the whole touches my heart and spirit.. won't leave for a while either.. can hear the song.. then the change of key.

[Gee]

Good morning EmmaJ. Thank you kindly, wasn't expecting much in the way of reviews as this was more a delete than post write.
Hope you are well..

[emmajoy]

I'm still sorting my far too many posts in here... BUT can't understand why you'd want to delete the above.. it taps places many posts do not.

Happy hours flying your way.

[Gee]

Thank you..

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Entertaining, nay, humor filled piffle though! You capture an atmosphere and describe a cetain social class/sociological phenomina in your characterisation. At least had me smiling!

[Gee]

Ok for the Brits, perhaps not for all else. Cheers John