mums weren’t categorised
like little girls
by 1950s’ boys
who had bugs
and wanted to kiss you
or play endless tea-parties

mums were okay
but you didn’t get too close
no public affection
or there were apron strings
and other branding or
fingers pointed at sissies
and worse still, ostracism

but if you had a paramour
and had been to the flicks
there were always stories
or if your mother drove
and had her own car
there were rides to Satd’y sports

harmless enough,
eh bartender?

First published by Friendly Street, 2018 in ‘New Poets 19’ edited by Edie Eicas