Wish Wagon
Hear the clanging pots, the squeaky wheels?
Over the rise comes the peddler’s cart––
horse with head down, pulling the load,
the jolly man just dangling the whip over her flanks.
Pitchers, fry pans, mops and brooms,
a doll for sis and kites for the boys
who run to greet this week’s happening,
hoping that Pa has spare bills in his wallet this time.
Now hear the “Whoa, Nell!” and see Zeke, the peddler,
swing his bent frame down from his high perch,
Ma drying her hands as she emerges from the kitchen door,
sis attached to her skirts, shy but drawn irresistibly from safety
to see the wonders that the peddler draws from his wagon:
penny candies by the jar and safety pins.
Needles, spoons and dime novels.
Cloth for Ma of calico and new boots for Pa.
Rag rugs made by Ma and traded for a bucket
and a wash pan his last trip here
that haven’t sold and so he won’t need more.
Jangly bracelets like the city women wear.
Her brief laugh scoffs at them.
The very idea. But one finger runs them round
before it draws away. And in her eyes
there is a wistfulness we will not see again
for thirty more years, until another wagon
crests the hill and drives away with her,
that look again frozen on her face
for eternity.
The SOCS prompt is “wish.” Image from Unsplash.
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
A very visual and evocative poem Judy.
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This is more the era and setting my dad grew up in. I often think of the loneliness and extreme hard work of that prairie life but he excelled at it to make a good life for his family. I am ever grateful for that.
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You’ve portrayed the life so well my friend. We are always grateful for the hard work our parents put in making our lives better.
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Great poem, so descriptive!
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Thanks, Aletta.
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A marvellously constructed poem – heralded by the exciting noises coming over the hill and closing with the final crest. As so often I read this one to Jackie, who was equally impressed
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So glad I can give you both the gift of sharing the poem, Derrick. Merry Christmas.
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Such a vivid picture of a life long gone, and the last stanza put a poignant finishing touch on it.
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Not a very cheery holiday message, I guess. But thanks for your kind response.
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You are very welcome, and it didn’t have to be cheery. It is true, and that’s what makes it meaningful.
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