I envy those women in the magazines
It goes back to something missing from my teens
Their white trouser, silk blouse lifestyle
When pimples and bad hair were my style
Do I deserve their barefoot walks on the beach
With a dog whose perm is out of my reach?
Can I emulate their effortless charm
In a climate where thick vests are the norm?
And as advertising copy is rife
Where do I sign up for their perfect life?
With a spouse who is polite to my mum
And a car that is the envy of some…
Or is that only alive on the page
While we sigh, we buy, but bicker and rage?
What has happened to us living the dream
In a home of painted white wood and cream?
How are we supposed to manage to burn
All the endless stuff they tell us to earn?
And as pensioners smile sweetly at kids
While their offspring bust a gut on the skids
Keeping families from floating away
Working harder, longer hours each day
For an ad campaigner, trainer, shamer
Knows no namer, public blamer
Never better, next trend setter
Panty wetter, promo debtor
How is this for living the dream
We grip tighter than our miracle cream?
Katherine Shirley 