English Literature

Grade 10
Poetry –
Barefoot Boy - J. L. Mayson

Little barefoot boy, a-wandering through the street,

Know you what in this life you seek,
What the day holds, who and what you’d meet,
Little barefoot boy
A-wandering through the street?

Your skinny arms, crooked toes and bare feet

Would touch the quick of hardy men
And make them want to weep; and yet
The world walks by, pretends it does not see
You in your rags and tatters
A-wandering through the street?

Little barefoot boy, where is your pa today?

He had drunk the last of Standard rum, and
They have taken him away. You hear no more
The drunken roar, the curse upon his lip.
Yet even in his drunken state, of love
You had a sip.

Little barefoot boy, why no school today?

Is it a holiday that you wander in this way?
Do you dream of bright toys, like other little boys
As you wander on your lonesome way,
You with your tender ways,
Little barefoot boy

Ah! do you see a door unlatched

And think it only a prank, child’s play
When you enter and a handbag take away.
No one saw or did not care to ask you why;
So you cracked conch and bread did buy.
Your first try?

Little barefoot boy, your hands are cold.

Wandering you’ve grown sullen, old,
Your heard turned stone! that was once pure gold,
A heap of stories to be told, your day-dreams
But, no one listens
Little barefoot boy?

You know so many cuss words (by the score):

You have heard them so many times before.
What makes you laugh at all, the hunger,
The empty in your belly, or the forgotten unlatched door?

Do we not see your pleading eyes?

Did we pass you by somehow?
No matter – you sit silent in the courtroom now
In your rags and tatters, head bowed,
Little, skinny, unloved, frightened
Barefoot Boy.