Elaine Jones

SOME GOOD ADVICE IF YOU HAVE CEREBRAL PALSY

Don't talk too loud.
Don't drink too much.
Don't go for dinner at 'THE RITZ'.
Don't fancy a good looking man.
Don't have dirty thoughts.
Don't go to a wedding, you will steal the show.
Don't cry in public.
Don't have a spasm in a china shop.
Do not sit next to me when I'm eating custard.

* * *

STRIPED DECK CHAIRS

The map laid out on the kitchen table.

                                            Where are we going?

                                 So many places.

Pick one quickly and let's go.

                            The seaside, every one shouted,

                    Southend ?

Of course!

 

We pile in the blue Rover;

                 buckets and spades.

                          Traffic jam, getting bored.

                                           Fancy a sweet?

Sucking on fruit drops; save me the lime ones.

 

We're lost;

              Where's the map?

                            On the kitchen table!

What?

              Let's turn back!

                               No!

 

I need the toilet!

              I am in a hurry.

                            You have to wait!

                                             Put the radio on.

                                                         Turn it down; then left.

The sea!

 

Deckchairs, we'll take two.

              Making sandcastles.

                             Splash, splash in the sea.

                                             Sand between your toes.

Fish and chips;

             Hot dogs, candy floss.

                              The salt on my lips,

                                             Yawning in the back of the Rover.

                                                          The sound of sea in a shell.

Elaine Jones is 54 years old, has cerebral palsy and loves writing. She left schools when she was sixteen. She uses a speech communication synthesizer computer called a Camleon. She has written thirteen poetry books. She loves going to theatres, concerts, operas, and meeting friends and going shopping.