The singer was good doing Elton John
but I couldn't stop watching the keyboard player.
Seated in front of him, eyes dead level
with his chubby fingers as he played,
crustacean-like his hands crabbed sideways,
scuttling to and fro, left and right
as if always seeking some tastier note.

Don't travel the world to see the sights

made famous from iconic photos

for when you get to the actual places,

either they look just as you expected

or more likely they're not as good.

The cameraman who took the photo

had the skill to judge the angle,

catch the quality of the light,

select the appropriate exposure

to create that competition winner.

But you, dear traveller, take pot luck

on season, weather, time of day.

We all know the need for novelty,

for something new not too far ahead

to work and plan for but try to resist

the insistence of image, obsession of idea.

And if you just want to say you've been there,

trying to impress your friends  -

it's a bit sad  !

I hate my ancestors, and parents,
for the features of my face:
the nose too long, the mouth too big,
the ears stuck out in space.

I try to make myself attractive
but the boys still pass me by.
My friends are all much prettier.
Oh God, I want to cry !

I do my very best with make-up,
perfume, all the latest gear.
I try to keep my weight in check
and spend a fortune on my hair.

But what's the good when I'm still cursed
by my unlucky family look.
Deep down I've almost given up,
for all the pains I've took.

If only I had cash enough
for plastic surgery, I'd find
someone to re-shape my face
and cut despair out of my mind.