A tribute to Robert Service. But not so fined tuned.

They took all savings
Mother came out of hiding
Daughter left seamstress grind
Had a charming candy shop in mind.
En passing I twigged
To a new sign
Decorated window
Glimpses of savoureuses
Mouth watering.

Over the weeks I
Was their secret
Admirer and spy.
Bookkeeping done with
Frowns at the desk.
Resilient smiles in
A new window
Dressed up.
Or in a sweet little
Story or hope shared.

But very few customers
Entering, perusing.
Quell domage.
Inventories strained.
Hairstyles in disarray.
Mother took to a chair
Mostly.
Daughter desperate.
Finally darkness.
Goods all gone.
I missed any notice
Of liquidation.

Daughter returned
To sweatshop needlework.
About this poem



(In his months in Bohemian Paris with other starving artists.)