Banjo

Banjo

It was early in the day
The market street was busy
An average sized crowd had gathered
He played sitting on a high stool
Banjo boy why are you not in school

The music was amazing
His talent evident
He looked thirteen years of age
Certainly nobody’s fool
Banjo boy why are you not in school

There was cash thrown into his case
His audience was enthralled
By the artistry he displayed
Mesmerized by his stringed tool
Banjo boy why are you not in school

His jeans were raggedy
Shoes worn and soiled
Hair unwashed and straggly
But still he was pretty cool
Banjo boy why are you not in school?

On closer look
There was sadness in his eyes
He looked a little malnourished
Under that sweater of wool
Banjo boy why are you not in school

Likely homeless or a peddler
Making money with his gift
Impressing all with his music
His situation seeming cruel
Banjo boy why are you not in school

His flair for performance
Was evident in his ease
The dirty street was his oasis
Convenient and free was the rule
Banjo boy why are you not in school

I stared at him through a prism
Seeing his potential multiplied
Wishing him the success he needed
To extricate himself from this cesspool
Banjo boy why are you not in school

 

Christine Bolton – Poetry for Healing ©

Word Prompts:

Average

Convenient

Oasis

Peddler

Prism

Photo by Matheus Ferrero on Unsplash

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  6 comments for “Banjo

  1. September 13, 2018 at 7:44 pm

    I love this poem, Christine.

    • Christine Bolton
      September 13, 2018 at 7:53 pm

      Aww..thanks so much. I enjoyed writing it as the character touched me 😢

  2. September 13, 2018 at 11:25 am

    I’d love to hear this. Anywhere to do so?

    • Christine Bolton
      September 13, 2018 at 11:37 am

      Hi Judy, I was on vacation and just happened on this kid in the high street. I don’t have a name so unsure of anything on YouTube. He just inspired me to write about him and what his life might be like. 😥

      • September 13, 2018 at 5:04 pm

        It is your song I’d like to hear. Has it been set to music?

      • Christine Bolton
        September 13, 2018 at 5:05 pm

        Ahhh….no but I can hear an Irish folk band singing it!!

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