THE MOBSTER

A Vignette, slice of life, true life

Uncle Harry, a repute of the 1920's

altered his surname to dodge the cops

He, a conceited mobster

stole from his own corrupt empire

sank it in his pockets

no paupers ever saw his loot

low as low could go

a scruffy business man

failed to give a damn

Uncle Harry

scum of many trades

acquired sizeable cash

jam-packed it in between

his mattress and the bed rails

He owned a bowling alley

with a bar on the first floor

along with a nightclub

the lone singer, his girlfriend

Harry, the sleazy prize fighter

ducked his own injuries

in favor of

punching his brother in the face

His prize scam

cooked up a deal with NYC

city officials to undercut oil prices

his oil delivered to Brooklyn docks

saved himself one dollar per gallon

less than his cronies paid

Ah yes

seedy old uncle Harry

a man among scumbags

who abused all

for his own gains

master mobster of his time

Author's Note

This is a free verse essay/poem; all incidents are true

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

What a fascinating account of your Uncle Harry this is Betty. What a character eh? I'm sure most of us if we looked far enough back would find unsavoury people in the past. He seems to have excelled though. At least he has given you something. The opportunity to tell his story. A good read Betty. A mobster in the family history.

Cbris

[Betty Hermelee]

Yes Chris, a real character...got all the scoop from another family member! Thanks for your review!

[mattavelli]

Hello, Betty! :)
Uncle Harry seems like he had a lot of energy. He definitely had a lot of character.
Now I sort of wish I had a seedy uncle. Haha

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks for reading Mat, my first chapter is similar
Best, B

[Coyote Poetry]

My father worked for the Purple Gang in Detroit for 30 years. He wasn't nice. The Korean and Vietnam war taught him some nasty skills. I liked the story. Was very believable. Thank you dear Betty for sharing the amazing tale.
Coyote

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks John for your review. These were the tough times that gave us the rise of crime families.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right dear Betty. The crime families are still alive and well. Just more quiet and organized. You are welcome.

[Poetic Beauty]

There are many crooked businesses and owners still out there these days lining their own pockets for selfish gains.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks for your comment.
Truly, B

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Betty... there are times when we need to
steal, beg and borrow our share of happiness.
Our family history has stories that whisper
dark moments. The blues are poems colored
for memories. truly, Pat

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks so much for reading this piece, it’s more like a story I guess. Your thoughts are always appreciated Pat. Truly, B

[Dave Brown]

Admire him or not, at least he wasn't a hum-drum boring guy
The mattress thing reminds me of 'Breaking Bad"
Flash ahead to modern times and I see one of Canada's mob bosses was recently 'hit'
Good read

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks Dave
Sorry so late in responding....your thoughts always appreciated. Truly,
B

[barleygirl]

Every family has one or a few! I love writing about my weird relatives & I love reading about yours! This poem is packed with vivid details that describe an illustrious career, but it doesn't seem very poetic & I can't exactly say why. It just feels like a piece of prose parading as a poem. Sometimes we have to hear a story trying to break free from the constraints of poetry. I don't know why you seem to be almost hesitant to express a story like this in prose!?!?! Like maybe you don't see yourself as a storywriter? Just musing about this. None of it really matters becuz you got your point across with clarity & your poem beckons the reader's interest (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Betty Hermelee]

You're right, it's not a poem, its' a vignette, or short piece ( essay?? ); I say that in the notes, bit I didn't know which category to put it under....thanks always Margie, xo, B

[Fabian G. Franklin]

What an interesting and intriguing bit of history. The world is too full of acrimony and greed. But I suppose it has always been that way back to Cain and Abel. A good read.

[Betty Hermelee]

I can’t believe it’s really my distant family! I believe there are more like him,all diseased now! Thanks for reading. Fondly Betty

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks Dave, I can’t believe this guy is my great uncle! Though sometimes I do believe it, only because of the decade of its history !

[Lorry]

As my thoughts turn to my own dubious uncle, I wonder if we all have a Harry in the family lineage. That one spoken of in hushed tones by family elders, who made his own rules and still broke most of them too.
There is a subtle difference though, with some thinking them a character and others an out and out criminal.
It will make for more interesting genealogy searches for future generations though.
That's the trouble with Harry's 😀

[Betty Hermelee]

Im sure there are many "Harry's" in family genealogy...It seems that On my father's side, there were many ! Thanks for reading, Betty