read all about it

I was trying to sell
Peace News on my pitch
next to St Albans Town Hall
I wrote for it for years
and though never much cop
at selling anything
I didn’t mind trying
anyway a bloke comes up
and says wotcher got there mate?
and I say Peace News
he says Peas Nudes?
I’ll have some of that
for me dinner
this stops me
in my tracks
then I think maybe
that’s his idea of a joke
then it occurs to me
he might be very deaf
then again I think
there are a lot
of odd ones about
praps he’s nicely barmy?
anyway he doesn’t hang about
and wends on his way
without further ado
though I see him buttonhole
some other innocent
while still in sight
whatever he says
makes her take-off
as though her pants
are on fire
Peas Nudes Peas Nudes eh
I can’t remember his face
I’ve never forgotten him

Jeff Cloves

.