No Cakewalk

· by · in dVerse, poetry. ·

Far from a cake-
walk, going from seasick
sailors to bakers,
with a hygiene
not keeping pace
with consumer demands,
Frasse, Janos and Hilding
made me aware
that birthday cake
dropped from the top
of my wishlist.

With an unsavory mix
of Freud, dough and snot
blended with Chaplin,
the “Cake”
grew to a trauma
that still makes me sick
when exposed
to an abundance
of whipped cream.

Today Melissa wants us to write poetry about TV-series at dVerse. Of course I watched a little American TV-series when young (and later too) but I thought it fun to bring up one of the series from the 70s which was maybe made for children… but it was quite gross, and has later gathered a bit of a cult. It was called Tårtan (the cake), about three sailors going ashore and becoming bakers by accident. The Series is today a cult, and the place where the Series was recorded is a café named Tårtan.

December 3, 2024

29 responses to “No Cakewalk”

  2. We must like opposite things; this sounds delicious to me:

    “With an unsavory mix
    of Freud, dough and snot”

    and “an abundance of whipped cream”

    … though only the latter would I want to eat 🙂

  12. Björn — ERASE THIS IF IT’S TOO MUCH 🙂

    The individual I recall—calling out “Rags-Old-Iron” to collect discarded items—was commonly known as a rag-and-bone man. These itinerant collectors roamed neighborhoods, seeking unwanted household items like rags, bones, and scrap metal, which they would then sell to merchants or recycling facilities.

    Historical Context:

    • 19th Century Origins: Rag-and-bone men were prevalent in the 19th century, especially in urban areas. They played a crucial role in waste management and recycling, collecting materials that could be repurposed or sold.

    • Post-World War II Era: After World War II, the standard of living improved, leading to a decline in the trade. However, in rural areas of the United States, such as small towns in Ohio, these collectors remained a common sight into the mid-20th century.

    Role and Activities:

    • Collection of Discarded Items: Rag-and-bone men collected items like old clothes, bones, and scrap metal. Rags were recycled into paper or cloth; bones were used for making glue or fertilizer; and metals were melted down for reuse.

    • Community Interaction: They often traversed neighborhoods with a cart, sometimes horse-drawn, announcing their presence with calls like “Rags-Old-Iron.” Residents would bring out items for them to collect, sometimes receiving small payments or goods in exchange.

    Decline of the Trade:

    The profession saw a decline in the latter half of the 20th century due to several factors:

    • Improved Waste Management: Municipal waste collection services became more efficient, reducing the need for independent collectors.

    • Economic Changes: Rising standards of living led to fewer reusable scraps being discarded, making the trade less profitable.

    • Regulatory Factors: New regulations and urban development also contributed to the decline of rag-and-bone men.

    Personal Recollections:

    Many people who grew up in the mid-20th century recall the distinctive calls of the rag-and-bone men and their horse-drawn carts. These collectors were a familiar part of the community, providing a valuable service by recycling materials and offering a means for residents to dispose of unwanted items.

    In summary, the “Rags-Old-Iron” man from your hometown was part of a longstanding tradition of rag-and-bone men who contributed to early recycling efforts and waste management in communities.

  14. Think I would have like this one, Bjorn ~~~ reminds me of “The Three Stooges” I watched as a girl. You wrote about it beautifully.

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