A Rumble in the Jumble

(Before we were inundated with charity shops, we had the good old jumble sale. Anyone remember?)

Eager eyes on bargain hunters

as the doors are opened wide.

Watch the queue of pushing punters

as they inch their way inside.

Round the endless trestle tables

stacked with scores of hand-me-downs.

Women armed with wicker baskets

foreheads furrowed in a frown.

Tossed and churned donated items,

belts with blouses edged in lace,

followed by a v neck sweater

next an old grey pillow case.

As the nimble fingers fumble

with a cotton collared shirt,

six hands reach to grab the hemline

of a black silk dirndle skirt.

As the musty garments tumble,

what a rumble in the jungle

as the silver shillings fall

not so willing to the coffers

for the upkeep of the hall.

Two o'clock and no subsiding

till at last the chimes sound three,

when the Vicar calls for silence,

home-made cakes and fresh brewed tea.

Reviews

[Gee]

Oh yes, most weeks in the village hall, twas the car boot of its time. And the smell, jaysus, musty, damp, urine, and That was just the throng gathered for a bargain.
Brings back memories of childhood and also of " new" clothes for a family of feral kids.
Hi Christine, really enjoyed this trip back in time,
. Hope you are well.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Gee. All OK here. Hope the same for you. You mentioned urine (lol). Funny enough I can't remember that, but musty I can remember. Thanks for checking this one out.

Chris

[Verse]

laughing out loud at your exchange with Gee, Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

I reckon as a kid when he visited, he must have peed his pants Verse (lol)

[Verse]

Hahahahaha!

[Chris Shaw]

:))…......…......

[Gee]

Ahemmm, I'm here !!! I may, or may not , have seepage problems now that I am of a certain age :)) but let me please assure you as a feral child I never once owed my pants, peed everywhere else mind.
Good morning folks, hope you are well :))))

[Gee]

Owed....peed

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning Gee. Knew that would bring you breezing in this lovely day. Relaxing in bed in Brixham. Gorgeous views of the harbour basin.

[Verse]

Hey there, Gee! Just doing one of my wee hour of the morning word binges in Canada!

Night night!

[angel]

You said wee...(childishly giggles).

[Verse]

Hee-hee!!! So I did. :):) ................

[kitty]

Loved it! You have described the scene so well I am there but not bargain hunting - all needs satisfied
- only as the 'silent observer' of those anxious to foolishly spend, spend on whose account? So wrong when many are searching rubish dumps for scraps of food!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you kitty. Although this was about the old church jumbles ales where the donated items were sold off for shillings and pence, it can be compared very well to what happens today. It is Black Friday and I for one am keeping well away from shops and the dreadful scenes that can be witnessed when some want to enure they get their bargain. My grandson one year told me of a fight in a shop he was working in, involving a pregnant woman. He was shocked to say the least. Thank you kindly for your review.

Chris

[kitty]

hank for the prompt but I am comparing to what is so prevalent - today Black Friday Sales.. This has taken over the minds of people who think they are making a 'kill' on bargains in the shops but is it worth the hassle?

[Chris Shaw]

Yes Black Friday. Appropriately named in my opinion. I personally don't think it's worth the hassle kitty. I suspect you feel the same. All good wishes.

[kitty]

The 'T' at the start of my sentence dropped off, sorry.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... a perfect disclosure of “almost new” lovely apparel for our heart’s desure.
truly, Pat

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

A thrilling poem for me! I love bargain shops and sales! You have expertly, effortlessly brought the jumble sale to life with all its excitement, hustle bustle and adrenalin flow. There’s also an endearing quaintness to the poem, that I loved. If there was such a sale here, I’d be raring to go!

[Chris Shaw]

They used to be such fun, but have now been replaced by charity shops. I used to love a rumble in the jumble. Quaint they were indeed. We've lost that now sadly. Thank you Ditzy Dhara. I do love that name by the way.

Chris

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Thank you Chris :)
I’m by nature ditzy, so it kind of suits me and I’m very comfortable with it :)
Those wonderful days bygone, the simple pleasures of life are so sadly missed. It was a joy to relive those treasures with you!

[Paul Bell]

I remember helping out at a jumble sale.
People were stealing stuff. Which ended up with me throwing clothes at them.
Ended up in a riot. I was never asked to help out ever again.
Just realized why I'm damaged.

[Einstein Noodle]

i am sworn by oath
to never attend ..
the sale...
the deal
nor gold bargain
so grateful now i sit
keying my happiness
to read and to endure
this journey
to the store
my shins and knuckles
free from bruising
while spiritly
i went a cruising :)))))))))))) its terrible i know .. but i sure loved reading your poem ..

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Mr E. Pleased you enjoyed the read. Smiling at that oath you have sworn.

Chris

[Mrudula Rani]

A cup of tea and cakes make everything nice at the end isn't it ? I have seen scenes like the ones you described on tv shows, never experienced... but at Christmas time Our crowded shopping malls are exactly like bargain hunters parade. A wonderfully written poem!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you M for your visit. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[Mrudula Rani]

You are most welcome.
All is good with me. Thank you, C.

[Fran Marie]

I go to goodwill every now and then..but not in crowds
*Not my cup of tea*.
however;.never know what interesting items might be found..

[Chris Shaw]

I don't like crowds these days either Fran Marie, but happy to browse in charity shops for fun. Thank you for your visit.

Chris

[Ana Papaya]

I'm not sure we had these here in Canada but it sure sounds like a lot of fun to be searching for treasure.
I'm not a big fan of the crowds but I've popped into flea markets once or twice and remember getting all caught up in the hunt for something interesting and different. Fun poem. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Ana, pleased you enjoyed the fun in this poem. Thank you for your visit. Most appreciated.
read moreHello Ana, pleased you enjoyed the fun in this poem. Thank you for your visit. Most appreciated.

Chris

[Verse]

Hahaha! Someone reminded me just the other day that rummage sale season is just beginning.

So there’s no question about the excellent lighthearted tone, flow, rhythm and humour enrobed in proper grammar, spelling and punctuation. But what I really love about this wonderful piece is the use of alliteration to underscore the message. I have a feeling you might not even have realized how cohesive the sound patterns are throughout the write. The lovely um and uh sounds lead us into the rumble tumble jumble that lie at the heart of this verse. And then they appropriately stop entirely as the Vicar serves tea! Absolutely amazing and adorable!!!

Loved this write. :):)

V

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning from me across the pond and thank you for your great review Verse. I always read my stuff out before publishing, so sounds are important to me. Thank you for noticing. Such fun those jumble sales. Hope all is good in your world.

Chris

[barleygirl]

I've never heard of a rumble (until now) but we are very fond of our yard sales here in the USA. I love the details which bring your situation alive, especially six hands reaching for the same skirt (clever way to show instead of tell). I worked with a lady who slapped together the most eclectic rummage-outfits. She told of going to Salvation Army distribution center & jumping into a dumpster of old clothes & almost drowning (she was tiny). Your poem helps me visualize a similar scene & I'm laughing all the way (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Margie. Those jumble sales weren't for the feint hearted. You had to get stuck in and believe me there was a lot of tugging and pulling going on. Makes me smile when I reflect. Thanks for sharing your experiences too. All good wishes.

Chris