by Meg Gurney

Created on: April 15, 2008

WHAT A DAME
(In the UK we have pantomime every winter.
Men dress as girls and girls dress as men.)

Large lettering says "Sweet cutie pie"
bold designed to draw the eye
towards the broad and ample chest
with sequins slathered on each breast.
A tattoo carved upon the shoulder,
a flower or maybe something bolder.
A wobbling lifebelt made of skin
helps to keep the skirt top in.
The skirt is short of shiny leather
and in the hat a jaunty feather.
The boots are black and reach the thigh
My eyes move heavenward to the sky.
She is the dame of pantomime,
in the pub to pass the time,
but as the time and drink progresses
she starts to drawl and slur her 's's
A stand-in for her part is found
The words are sharp, the coffee ground.
An end to female parts for him.
His mum will send him to the gym.
Then sleek and fit with muscles rippling,
no corsets tight or boots so crippling,
as Buttons he'll request a shout
whenever the villain strolls about.
He'll always turn around on queue
When children shout "He's behind you!"

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