The Talent Scout And The Violinists Poem by Raj Arumugam

scouting for talent in the streets
(for the next Michael Jackson or Pavarotti
or anyone who can make me money)
I spotted there in the streets of Melbourne
a bloodhound and a puppy, each with a violin
and each playing -
the puppy a natural, the bloodhound indistinct

I spread out on the floor
the talent contract for a team
and the bloodhound signed with a grin;
but just as the puppy lifted its paw
another dog came running, picked up the puppy
and ran off with the speed of lightning

"Damn! What's that about? "
I asked the bloodhound

"Oh, " said the bloodhound sheepishly
"That's his mum, my wife - she doesn't want
him to be a musician like me…
she'd rather he grows up to be a doctor! "