my mum used liquid paraffin
on the boys hair fortunately
nothing on mine

she slicked theirs flat with a severe
parting

until one had a crew cut and got into
trouble for it at grammar school

there was a hell of a fuss

i remember

talking of which she would send us
up the garage for pink paraffin from
the pump

next door the tv shop where we watched
the programmes through glass

later mum rented one from radio rentals
in winton

she rode her bike up there
sometimes stopping at the
bakery for a cream slice

james

picture this
the plastic skirt guard