Bandersnatch

Beware the usurer my girl,

who lends to see your lips unfurl

and softly, slowly, validate

the body as his interest rate.

Avoid the flatterer my lass:

grinning, cocksure, bold as brass;

but brass won’t pay the surgeon’s bill,

and gold will buy a bitter pill.

Then love the laughing boy my child,

go dancing with him through the wild,

where ecstasy and perfumed sweat

will grant a gift, not claim a debt.

For kisses laid upon the womb

are sweeter than a lonely tomb.

Russell J Turner – October 2012