Just Another Message

Mama was going to be very busy today (very busy cos it was Saturday) There were jobs and work to do Piles of clothes and washing too Usually she would be preoccupied And the children will have a day not fried by “What are you doing” or “Get off that Swing” or “Stop that playing and make that bell ring” Those jerky and crazy stuff they’d do Or make us do now i’m confused So anyway the soap was out Used up in her laundering bout And she pointed a crooked finger and said Jimmy , "Two Ariel One peak milk, six Joy soap and bread" Poor Jimmy could only stare and mope And she spit on the floor and she cried Make sure you’re back before that's dried And she tossed some bills and turned her face And poor Jimmy began his roundabout race Chanting "Two Ariel, One peak milk, six Joy soap and bread" "Two Ariel, One peak milk, six Joy soap and bread" For a while the going was understood he took short cuts the going was good Then he met old Olaf by the door And stop to greet him but only swore Now I've messed it up. Which is what? Is it three joy soap or bread I thought (And he confused his poor brain the more) Now it was "Three bread, six Joy milk, and Ariel flour" Thankfully Mallam Habib’s shop was by the corner Though Jimmy didn’t know it , he was a goner He stumbled breathlessly, "I need these Two Ariel One Joy, and three Peak peas" Habib stared at him and held back a guffaw Nevertheless he took the money and then he saw Written in tiny and clear print, it firmly said Give him "Two Ariel, One peak… bread" Jimmy was so thankful "You’re so kind how do you even y’know read my mind" "But what’s the fun if I told you Run along you have a job to do" Jimmy snapped and sadly cradled his behind Of course he knew the spit had dried And if there was anything Ma was good at It was spanking with a baseball bat