Outside

Outside in the playground With the popular girls Looking for acceptance That wasn’t what you found Only affectations Conformity and submission To the tyranny of fashion Empty-headed smilers and pleasers Pretenders and teasers You searched for honesty Found only lies No friendship or sisterhood No forever ties So you hooked up with the boys Learning […]

When I was a child I was fascinated by seaside talent and beauty contests

Seaside Beauties It’s a cold, wet July day. Deckchairs are lined up At the end of the pier. From behind their umbrellas And transparent plastic macs, Holidaymakers stare At a bevy of beauties in bathing suits With carefully coiffured hair, Counting goosebumps On mottled arms and legs. The resident comic and compère Steps up to […]