I'm Nick the Troubadour.
Yes, that's how he introduced himself
at a protest camp, around the fire.
Surrounded by half-asleep hippies,
as he warmed his calloused hands.
A battered but well-tuned guitar,
ragged but warm clothing,
and a hard voice,
roughened by years of performing
in the subway theatre.
Like all street performers he knew the secret.
First, get their attention.
Second, make them stop walking by.
Three, smile even if they ignore you,
because sometimes the smile works
when everything else fails.
Stained fingers made a slim rollie
as he checked out his new companions.
A short phrase, a couple of lines,
will catch them every time.
Then you can start the money performance,
showcase any real talent you may have.
How to grab them, I asked?
It varies, he replied,
but this one always works.
He unslung his guitar,
settled himself cross-legged,
silently found the chord he wanted
and split the peace beneath the trees.
I want to have sex with Maggie Thatcher.
I want to go down on Mrs T...
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Welcome to The Tangled Branch! Join us.
Nick the Troubadour: From several years back.
Nick the Troubadour: From several years back.
I've been writing ever since I realised I could. Storytelling since I started talking. Poetry however comes and goes
Re: Nick the Troubadour: From several years back.
Certainly grabbed my attention!
Re: Nick the Troubadour: From several years back.
Detailed and engaging narrative as always. I don't know how you manage to meet so many interesting people.
Dave
Dave
Re: Nick the Troubadour: From several years back.
I collect them, often involuntarily, and I've been doing it for a long time now My meeting with Nick was over twenty years ago.
The other factor is that strangers - particularly weird ones - come up and talk me. It happened to my dad and it happens to my daughters. I think of it as being a 'nut magnet'. My youngest girl feels as if she's 'flypaper for freaks'.
Life is a rich tapestry, and sometimes the unravelled - or still unravelling - threads have their own story to tell.
Gyppo
The other factor is that strangers - particularly weird ones - come up and talk me. It happened to my dad and it happens to my daughters. I think of it as being a 'nut magnet'. My youngest girl feels as if she's 'flypaper for freaks'.
Life is a rich tapestry, and sometimes the unravelled - or still unravelling - threads have their own story to tell.
Gyppo
I've been writing ever since I realised I could. Storytelling since I started talking. Poetry however comes and goes