ALWAYS THUS.

[dadio]

It was always thus:
Mother on the lawn
By the white table
Waiting patiently

For afternoon tea
And the maid Lily
Bringing the big tray
With teapot, milk jug,

Two cups and saucers,
Sugar bowl and spoons,
With cake and biscuits
And Mother saying:

Where’s Elizabeth?
Watching Lily pour
The tea in the cup
Then adding the milk

Stirring in sugar
As she gazes up
To the sky above
She knowing for sure

That Elizabeth
The youngest daughter
Was up in her bed
With Giles making love.

[joel]

Take that, Mommy Dearest!

[dadio]

Thank you, Joel.