junkman

there really was

a junk

man

back in the day. he used

to walk

up the street with his

old horse

ringed in bells,

pulling a wooden

wagon

full of scrap metal,

and rubber tires.

at the time it seemed

like a nice job,

a good way

to make a living.

being outdoors and all.

he wore a dirty hat

and had

a mustache.

he appeared to be made

of brown leather, but

he was friendly, saying

things to us

in another language

as we stopped our game

in the street to let

him go by.

we watched him as he

walked away,

leading the horse

with a stick,

as it's hooves knocked

against the summer concrete.