He was a “Flim flam man”
Cheated folks for a livin
In the town of Spokane
He took, 'stead of givin
One day came a drifter
A beautiful lady you see
A professional grifter
Born of gypsy ancestry
'Twas destined they’d meet
Flim flam man ‘n the Gypsy
To play out a game of deceit
After a few shots they got tipsy
He offered to pay for her drinks
Pulled out a round roll of money
A twenty covered one dollar bills
Said, “I’ll pick up the tab honey”
She smiled, “Oh, if you insist”
He gave barmaid a one for a twenty
An old scam he could not resist
“Keep the change, I’ve got plenty”
He asked Gypsy, “What do you do? ”
“back in Detroit I’m a Practical Nurse”
He said, “That’s great, good for you”
As he snuck his hand in her purse
Seeing what he’d done she turned red
Reached into her coat for a snub ‘38
Shot the poor “Flim flam man” dead
“Rot in Hell you sorry cheapskate! ”
She jumped off the barstool and ran
She’d escape with a small bit of luck
It was clear, she'd be leaving Spokane
She ran in the street ‘n was hit by a truck
Here's the moral, pardon my cliché
Truth be told, 'Crime just don't pay'
ROTMS
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem