wash yr mind out with soap

I like to comb my hair before I go to bed in case I meet my Maker.

I put on clean underwear before I go out in case I get hit by a truck or tram and end up in hospital. You want to look yr best.

Mum taught me these things.

Always repent to God yr sins before you go to sleep. Whiteness of soul is as important as whiteness of underwear.

An idle mind is the devil’s workshop, mum emphasised. She needn’t have worried. My mind was always busy.

But if she knew what I was thinking she would have washed my dirty little teenage mind out with soap.

 

 

Ark

Once it carried five

of us

and two pets

towards a bright new future

but it was anything but

plain sailing

 

with a son who rocked

the boat

a daughter who kept throwing

herself overboard

and a younger afraid to put

her head out

in the storm

gathering hard above us

 

but the dove came back telling us

things had eased

 a shaft of sunlight spotlighting

our position :

our son had found calm

the elder daughter steadfastness

the younger courage

 

now it’s just us

sailing ahead

my wife and I ,

a pair as God

commanded .

Beach Balls, Rabbits & Heads

You haven’t got your head up your arse

Or in the clouds any more, he said,

But firmly secured where it should be.

Atop my shoulders? I suggested.

But my big brother was right.

I was a dreamy kid but when the hormones kicked in— boy!!

My head was every which way but loose.

It was like a beach ball bobbing along

On choppy waves,

A dog chasing after every rabbit which crossed

its path.

I’m still a bit like that but the hormones

Are quieter now

& if I don’t watch it I still find myself

Head up the arse or in the clouds,

A head’s gotta go somewhere.