Shoulder Bag

(First published in *MANDALA* a second collection of poems and illustrations designed and printed by Vivien Steels - Vivi*Press - Nov 2004)

Weapon of women

to be hurled at attacking monsters,

containing all worldly goods

if emptied upside-down onto table:

two lipsticks - 'Rouge Fascinant' and 'Siren' -

both blood-red, both necessary,

nail varnish - 'Hard as Nails',

mascara - 'Wondercurl, Wonderlash, Wonderful',

purse - holding new EU Driver's Licence,

cards - for credits, debits and rewards,

photographs - Ian & I laughing in snowy Christmas '85,

Miffy - beautiful black cat sniffing pansy,

father - black and white with work colleagues,

mother and father - in garden of 50s house, hugging,

notes - mainly blues, but some orange & occasional purple,

coins - weighing a brick,

fake tortoiseshell comb - to restore order,

spiral brush - for emergencies if comb is unreachable,

tissues - lip-sticked, shoe-polished, window-wiped,

cheque book - not used so much now,

paying in book - not used enough,

little printed packet - not to be eaten, desiccant,

dust and fluff - need to Hoover bag at regular intervals,

inner pocket with zip - holds old £5,

and lately

glass case - age has finally caught up with eyes,

cleaning wipes - for lenses,

sketch pad and pencil - to capture images, phrases,

silver pen - to sign for things,

Paracetamol - for pain in shoulder.