Capacious Lids Poem by John Sensele

Boris snatched stubs of fish
That had landed beside a dish
In a crowded market
Where he needed no ticket

To eke out an existence
When at the insistence
Of an oversize boot
Boris dropped a fruit

He'd nearly chewed
When Boris was stewed
By a slap that sent him scampering
With a burning

Pain. 'You wasted space
Why do you keep showing your face
At my stall.
I hate your gall.'

A slap sent Boris to the floor
Landing near Nicky's door.
A stick smacked his backside
And whacked his unwashed hide.

'What have done I to you?
Why do you keep a tight screw
On me, Mr Nicky?
Why is poverty so tricky? '

Nicky ran after Boris
Whom he could only miss
Because Boris ran faster
To avoid Nicky's disaster.

Boris picked up stones
And gathered a few bones.
A stone hit Nicky's car windscreen
As Boris's face mustered a wry grin.

Six urchins hurled insults
Joined by a bevy of boisterous sluts.
'Nicky, stop being a bully
Cos that attitude is silly.'

A policeman fired a teargas canister
When a Catholic church minister
Shambled pontifically over
Brandishing a chalice cover.

'Repent, you rich people
And turn to the Bible
To share your ill gotten wealth
To restore your good health. '

Traders marched with a motley of groceries
And a selection of pastries.
Traders lined up thirty street kids
Whom they feted from capacious lids.