(A Personal Recollection)

I well recall some years ago

Before I had a car and so

I’d caught the bus to go to town

I paid my fare and then sat down;

A woman was sat next to me

(I paid no mind and nor did she);

And so in silence on our way

We journeyed, till I heard her say

“If you don’t eat up” she began,

“I’ll give it to this nice young man”;

I glanced and saw then as she smiled

A gypsy woman and young child;

She wore a t-shirt and short skirt,

Her face was black ingrained with dirt

And dangling out a grubby tit;

The youngster turned away from it

(I do not blame the boy one bit!)

I said to him with nervous grin,

“You tuck in, son; you tuck in!”