Adrian Henri

10 April 1932 - 20 December 2000 / Birkenhead, Cheshire

Mrs Albion You'Ve Got A Lovely Daughter (For Allen Ginsberg)

Albion's most lovely daughter sat on the banks of the Mersey dangling her landing stage in the water.

The daughters of Albion
Arriving by underground at Central Station
Eating hot ecclescakes at the Pierhead
Writing 'Billy Blake is fab' on a wall in Mathew St
Taking off their navyblue schooldrawers and
Putting on nylon panties ready for the night

The daughters of Albion
See the moonlight beating down on them in Bebington
Throw away their chewinggum ready for the goodnight kiss
Sleep in the dinnertime sunlight with old men
Looking up their skirts in St Johns Gardens
Comb their darkblonde hair in suburban bedrooms
Powder their delicate little nipples/wondering if tonight will be the night
Their bodies pressed into dresses or sweaters
Lavender at the Cavern or pink at the Sink

The daughters of Albion wondering how to explain why they didn't go home

The daughters of Albion
Taking the dawn ferry to tomorrow
Worrying about what happened
Lacing up blue sneakers over brown ankles
Fastening up brown stockings to blue suspenderbelts

Beautiful boys with bright red guitars
In the spaces between the stars

Reelin' an' a-rockin'
Wishin' an' a-hopin'
Kissin' an' -prayin'
Lovin' an' a-layin'

Mrs Albion you've got a lovely daughter.
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