Hard Boiled Poem by Robert Sheridan

First came the Badger Game
Had a Beef 'cause I didn't have
no Berries; tried using my Rod
but couldn't stop him - wore a
Chicago Overcoat.

Said if I didn't come, would slap
on the Nippers; and I said, 'Why
don't you 60 To Read and Write! '
Then I tried to Cop The Sneak
when he turned away for an instant.

Then he yelled out, 'Grab Air
Mister! ' As I did, I told him, 'Kick
Off, ' and Dry-Gulched him, he
didn't see it coming - as he regained
consciousness, he called for a Flatty.

It was really Bunco though, because
he was a real Grifter, you know, like
a Highbinder; he had come to do his
Lav - he said, 'Let bygones be bygones! '
Offered me a drink, slipped me a Mickey.

When I awoke, wasn't at the Pearly Gates
Was at a place where Pikers go to Soak
their souls; then I remembered I had a
Portrait of Madison; laid it on the Grim Reaper
He said, 'Gone on Shyster, Take a Powder! '

'2008'