Mover Mike

Little Jimmy

Little Jimmy had a shoeshine stand
on the corner of Fifth and Pine.
Men would sit and watch
him whip his rag
with a pop! and a pop,pop,pop!
a beat in double time

Johnny wanted to be like Jimmy.
He labored day and night
to slather polish in black and brown
so his shoes would reflect the light.

But no one could beat little Jimmy
he had a secret sauce
one part spit & polish
the rest was the way he'd toss
his hair from side to side
and ride the rag in double time
to the end of the watcher's line.

Yellow Bus Poetry Mover Mike