IF PARADISE IS HALF AS NICE




Yawns

into my morning




wearing only my

Edvard Munch’s THE SCREAM




Tee-shirt

(so that’s where it’s gone)




which is a mere

miniskirt on her




scratching a well tanned

behind.




All smeared mascara

all Cleopatra eyes

all mad crazy hair

mad as a bag of spiders




dancing

(sleepily to)




Amen Corner

on the summer radio.




Takes my toast

from my poised hand




takes a bite

crunchily...noisily




then puts it back

in exactly the same position.




Pats me

on my head




“Mmmmmm.... thanks Dad! ”




“Stolen toast is always

twice as nice! ”




Sings softly

swaying to herself




“If Paradise is half

as nice




“As the Heaven that you take me

to...”




(Ooops...slops

spills her orange juice)




“...who needs Paradise? ”




“I’d rather...have you! ”




Then suddenly excitedly

talking to boyfriend No.22




on her little pink

glitzy mobile.




Guess my little girl

has(gulp) grown up!