Uncle Tom (The Re-write)

Uncle Tom was funny,
whenever there was a family party
he’d entertain us with
a wink and a wiggle

Uncle Tom was camp
when I still thought camp was coffee
or a couple of nights
spent in a tent
in the great outdoors.

Be-turbaned,
wearing peep toed shoes;
scarlet slashed mouth,
mascara eyes flashing
mischievously,
he blew kisses at the men
making them blush
and rush for another pint;
he would joke about stuff
I could never quite understand.

The men would guffaw,
the women looked abashed
when they laughed, then tut-tut
with eyebrows aloft.
We children though would giggle
at his falsetto voice,
and choice of clothes.

Uncle Tom was a projectionist
at the picture house;
each night Hollywood
filled his eyes with stars
his head with impossible dreams,
yet, strangely he stylishly achieved both
inhabiting his own personal Tinsel Town