mama\'s checking out the make-up
rummaging for things she hasn\'t seen since
well
let\'s say
they\'ve been missing awhile
but she thinks she might know where to find them
they\'ll be in katy\'s room
katy\'s scrubbing up tonight
glitter in her hair
she\'s had the beauty parlour treatment
to look gorgeous
for the ball
cha cha cha
for dancing
fourteen years and six feet tall
slender as a model on the cat-walk
she\'ll be black off the shoulder
pink in a shawl
a little colour on the cheeks
dark eye-liner
and yes
that\'ll be the missing mascara
and the lipstick
those two will be gone awhile
it\'s time for girl business
in the bedroom
but papa
have you charged the camera
because here she comes now
look at her would you
just look
we always knew
but
just look at her
strike a pose by the mantle shelf
underneath the painting we brought away
from grandma\'s house
she might not approve of black
but she\'d be just so proud of you
and happy
little brother please
remove yourself
this is not your picture
or your time
you\'ll have to wait your turn
papa take katy now
it\'s time she made her entrance
no
you won\'t need to carry
the shotgun
she\'ll be fine you know
she\'s a big girl
still your baby
but she\'ll be fine
he\'ll be worried all night
fretting like a
well
like the father whose baby
is taking steps into the world
and away
nervous
keep him busy if you can
talk motor cars
help him do something with the radiator
or the carby
until one o\'clock
or so
until she gets home
~