A Stone Age Away

 

                         I was born in a fantasy

                         The leader was an angel

                         Disguised by a cigar

                         With a rakish halo

                         And a tipsy smile

                         Until he stumbled on a platitude

                         And fell in the ditch

 

                         We live in a ball park

                         Next to a urinal

                         Each hour was an inning

                         We were always at bat

                         Until a minister well dressed

                         Came in a hearse

                         Drawn by the ghosts

                         Of four black horses

 

                         I conquered the universe

                         The world was a uniform

                         With polished boots

                         All heroes were blond

                         Expired with a smile

                         Until I grew up with a virus

                         Trapped in a parking lot

 

                         A boat was our cradle

                         Beneath a pretty parasol

                         She trailed her hand in the water

                         Until the river turned brown

                         Fish rolled on their bellies

                         Floated down the estuary

                         Two by Two

 

 

                                                      Jack Mashman

                                                      1987