Where have all the gypsies gone?

Dr Abe V Rotor 

 Philippine version of a gypsy - an Itinerant peddler of native products.  Photo taken at Lagro, QC

Paced the wooden cart with the sound of heavy hoof,

children from their play come to view,

once in a while this strange culture comes alive

from imagination to real anew.

A child wonders how live the gypsy on the road,

sans relations yet friend to all;

like Pied Piper leading a trail of kids cheering,

waking the sleepy Hamlyn whole. 

Wonder the Dark Ages lit by the gypsy's tales,  

bards in their song and play;      

live Pushkin's gypsy poems into opera and ballet, 

and Hugo's Esmeralda to this day. 

Traveled on and on the gypsies around the globe, 

touching cultures under the sun,  

but sadly losing their own in the march of time.  

Where have all the gypsies gone?