Do you despair or hope as you unpack
Your tent and table, basket, box and bag?
You sell while cold or hot, when fast or slack:
Is this proud dream or nightmare's daily drag?
The loads you carry make your shoulders sag;
You lift and dump, arrange your goods on the rack,
Create displays, clear grime with wielded rag.
Do you despair of hope as you unpack?
Variety between each stand or shack:
From belt to hairdo, t-shirt, phone or flag;
A pen or vase, a drink, a smoke, a snack –
In tent, on table, out of box and bag.
From summer's shine to winter's morning lag,
You see the year, can write the almanac.
You're there when clients smile or patron's nag;
You sell while cold or hot, when fast or slack.
Here you chance on friendship, risk attack;
Here is freedom and the binding snag;
Here you go under, or you learn the knack;
Here is proud dream and nightmare's daily drag.
Do you despair or hope?
2007, Rondeau Redoublé
