Leslie Poem by Jim Young

Sisters howl to the pulsating walls,
Arms sky-wide clap hands pleading,
White fingers entwine pain with pain. For
Little Leslie has run away to sea!

Pinafores sodden with tears screw tight
To red-eyed horizon's non-farewell.
A boy! He's only a boy!
Why? Why? Why?
Those seven seas of why?

Mmm grunts his brother,
Over his paper, over his dinner's
HP of empire saucily says,
Gone to his head see?

Ship's head rides down the sea,
Ploughs the howling waves,
Spits back the wailing tears.
Down the sisters drown into
Each other's enfolding arms,
As the long days of waiting begin.
Their spice of life gone away
To sea, a cabin boy.
To be an able seaman.
See?