Junior Jungle

Junior Jungle Today! At South Bank! My girl is dancing! Her arms; tentacles of an octopus. To the tunes of my youth: Jungle music. At the background men and Women in animal costumes: Still young at heart. So I waited eighteen years For my first jungle gig. Drenched in sweat Energised by the thrill of the raw music. My little girl is three. She jumps up and down. On the stage. So do I. So does my husband. She is our excuse To relive our youth. So we dance and dance The music is like honey Rushing through our blood. Taking us to Terra incognito In the map of our souls. We look around Other parents Undulating to the beats of the drum We exchange knowing glances With other grown ups. We are all there reliving our youth. We knew. So we dance and dance Using our children as excuses. "Oh man! Jungle music rocks!" Our little girl will say later! Yasemin Balandi