Poem: Darling Fred

Darling Fred

Before I heard your name

I was plain Jayne.

I couldn’t plan a party in a pub.

Before we met

I was green

eggs without ham.

Before we spoke

I was sour

without a whiskey.

Before we kissed

I was blue

cheese without a biscuit.

Before.

Before,

I was a horseshoe without luck.

Now we are together, darling Fred,

I am Ginger.

I can do anything,

even backwards and in high heels,

right to the last Bar.

Adelaide’s Michele Slatter is a retired Law academic who lived and worked in the UK and New Zealand before settling in South Australia. She is a member of several active writers’ groups, and reads regularly at Friendly Street Poets.

Readers’ original and unpublished poems of up to 40 lines can be emailed, with postal address, to poetscorner@solsticemedia.com.au. Submissions should be in the body of the email, not as attachments. A poetry book will be awarded to each accepted contributor.