Bertoldo Poem by Cainneach Rua

Disfigured and
Deformed was he
The little big man
Aged beyond his years
Carrying his
Mighty spirit on
Little brown shoes
Far-trekked and
Mountain worn

His life
Enclosed yet exposed
Like this chunky chocolately
Cockroach approaches
A scrummy feast
Feeds on it's dead fly
Slurps damaged wings
Brown-gunk deliciously devoured
Like a sweet
Each creep and turn
The wriggling of legs
Examined
Under glassy eyes

Or like a fleeing hare
Untouched yet seen
From growling dogs chased
Signore dwarfo
Survived
Thrived even

A ready smile borne
Of light burden
Brightened pruney cheeks
And a beckoning chair at each table

Though poor and troubled
Tremendously blessed was he