Polythene Pam and Vinyl Vera
Two old birds from a different era
Pretty young things from the age of punk
Brassy and sassy and permanently drunk
Grey haired now, and in a permanent funk
Swore they’d live very different lives
Yet both ended up as suburban housewives
They meet every Tuesday with Steradent Stan
Then drive into town in the back of his van
Living it large, in their torn black jeans
Varicose veins glinting through the seams
Safety pins, and black mascara
Mingled with wrinkles to create a farrago
They holiday at Butlins 70’s weekenders
Inclusive of drinks and go on benders
Dance the pogo and pose and pout
Wearing surgical stockings ‘cos they both have gout
No one from the Institute would ever guess
Just what they wear underneath their Sunday best
Crotchless knickers and a man’s string vest
In case they both get lucky they are ready to impress
Polythene Pam and Vinyl Vera
Two old birds from a different era
They frequent all their favourite dives
But are home by ten to their mundane lives
They never forget that they are punks
Still living it large in a permanent funk
© 2023 PJ.
“Pam and Vera” is a delightfully irreverent and humorous poem that celebrates the enduring spirit of aging punk rockers. The poem paints a vivid picture of two women who refuse to let their suburban lives dim their rebellious spirits. Through clever rhyming and witty observations, it captures the contrast between their outward appearance as “suburban housewives” and their secret wild personas. The poem touches on themes of aging, identity, and the refusal to conform to societal expectations, all while maintaining a light-hearted and amusing tone.
“Daftness and Other Afflictions” is Peter Watson’s collection of poems that began as personal therapy before evolving into something more profound. The book offers a uniquely Yorkshire perspective on life’s daily observations, combining wit, wisdom, and occasional cynicism to create verses that speak to readers on a deeply personal level. From serious reflections to whimsical observations, this anthology demonstrates how poetry can be both therapeutic for the writer and enlightening for the reader, capturing life’s quirks and contradictions with a keen eye and gentle humor.
Peter Watson, the author, writes from his Yorkshire roots, infusing his poetry with a distinct regional flavor and down-to-earth approach. His work manages to be both accessible and profound, offering insights into the human condition while maintaining a relatable tone. Watson’s background in using poetry as a form of personal therapy shines through in his honest and often humorous takes on everyday life, making his collection a testament to the power of words in processing and understanding our experiences.
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