I remember the first time i saw a 'rag and bone man'. I was terrified, which is unjust because they are friendly chaps who used to give kids balloons for pieces of scrap. I guess i grew up in a time when they were dying out. Due to this i just didn't understand what he was all about. I'll never forget the how the cry of 'RAA-BO' chilled my blood. Looking back now its a fond memory. : )
A cold, grey, and dreary day
Silence, stillness, as the snows lay
whilst an idle child views the show
with nothing to do, and nowhere to go
Chin rested on his small white hands
Dreaming, lazily of exploring new lands
He's stuck in a trance, of silence and gloom
and his only world, is his large empty room
when a piercing cry chills his blood
Haunting and loud, to expel all good
“RAA-BO” comes the despairing call
Sounding futile, yet heard by all
then he hears the shuffling feet
Scraping along his barren street
Scared stiff he views the road
A cart creaks by shaky and old
“RAA-BO” comes the cry again
making the hairs stand, and then
the source is seen, a ghastly sight
rags for clothes and eyes like night
he slowly looks up, their eyes lock
the boy turns white, rigid with shock
This is the day, the boys fear began
Of the age old, unknown, rag and bone man.
