Ladies Day In Town Poem by Neil Crawford

'Ladies Day'never fails to catch me out,
the day before the 'National'
yet each year a fresh surprise.

Surrounded by human butterflies,
teetering, tottering on dagger heels,
I am dazed by their exuberance.

'Fascinators'pierce disobedient hair,
body parts wobble in all directions,
but they don't give a toss, today fun is 'boss'.

Their shrieks complete the urban score
adding to the usual sounds,
the city centre opera.

No one else bats an eye,
I am the only gawper
at their mad, irreverent splendour.

Hours later they will return
with red faced, angry men in tow
who exorcise disappointment noisily.

But for now, they set the scene
in magenta, gold and day glo green,
as they wend their raucous way
to grandstand dreams.