I ATE "PINK PANTHER" BARS

When I was a little kid
I ate "Pink Panther" bars;

Ken Dodd and his Diddy Men
My favourite TV stars.

A plank across the barber's chair
'Short back and sides' Mum said;

Karate suit pyjamas
And a nylon sheeted bed.

Belonging to the "Tufty Club"
So not to get knocked down;

Out with Mum on London's "Tube"
'Going up to town'.

New "Clarks" shoes bought once a year
A machine that showed your toes;

Fiddling with my costume
When acting in school shows.

A plimsoll bag my Mum had made
I'm certain it was green;

With Dad on his motorbike
Hoping I'd be seen.

Roller skates strapped to my pumps
A red bike with white wheels;

Semolina, soggy chips
The horror of school meals.

Hand me down flared trousers
Shirt collars you could chew;

Boring Sunday telly
And nothing much to do.

Yellow penicillin
For when I was unwell;

Sundry trips to A & E
A smell I can still smell.

In the park, the witches hat
And a tall "pre-safety" slide;

On the platform of the bus
I'd always try to ride.

A tuppenny "Beano" comic
Was my weekly joy;

A "Johnnie Jackson" figure
By far my favourite toy.

A list of childhood mem'ries
Random and absurd;

There is a little piece of me
In every single word.

COPYRIGHT D M PAMMENT FEBRUARY 20th 2010