The Peddler Poem by S.A. Blair

See the peddler,
peddling on
Don’t buy his wares
Run him out of town
Can you hear his pitch?
That seasick sound
Just like he pedalled
When he was young

And he said “look ma, two hands”
Look ma two hands
I made it on my own
I don’t need pa
I made it on my own
I don’t need pa
Don’t need no-one.

Just one swallow
Was all it took
You gulped it down
No second look
With a show of hands,
You closed the book
Are you the shepherd
Or just the crook?

He said “look ma, one hand”
Look ma, one hand
A regal wave
I got it made
A regal wave
I got it made
Don’t need no-one.

He wants to run
But he can’t crawl,
Steals an inch
Then wants it all,
Or he’ll go home
And take his ball,
With pride so high
So far to fall.

But he says “look ma, no hands”
Look ma, no hands
I got oil
On my chain
Till the source
Goes down the drain
Here comes the rain.

Close your eyes
You can’t see fear,
Talk so loud
So you can’t hear,
A treacle grin
From ear to ear,
How come the ground
Has got so near?

Now you say “look ma, no teeth”
Look ma, no teeth
Bully-beef
Has come to grief
Got no cushion
Underneath
Aint got no-one