Ode to persistence

Please ma’am, please ma’am, only 20 rupees ma’am

These purses I am carrying are twice the size that I am.

They glitter just as brightly as my mop of thick black hair,

as cheerful and melodic as my smile in the air.

They are light and daring just as I am on the street

when I scamper after tourists with no shoes upon my feet.

Did you say 20 rupees? Maybe two I’ll take for that.

That darling, plaid green one could be tucked inside a hat.

I like that pretty orange one with the golden, swirling leaves-- 
Oh oh!  “Beat it!” says the cop who’s trying to please

foreigners besieged by boys, but boys who have to earn

a little bit of money and some self-respect in turn.  

Here you go, just reach for it, it’s yours for your bravado, 

you’re far too young and beautiful to be a desperado.

Below the baton we did the deal deftly, and with speed

and if a ma’am could give a wink I would have done indeed.

As it was I saw him lift a little in the wind

Could’ve been the purses - or the tamarind.