Shock! Horror! Belly!

Now,

that’s the Barbara

that Dad knows.

And it’s the Barbara

that Mum wants the world to see,

but

I know a different Barbara.

One day, two weeks ago,

I came home early from school.

As I’m unlocking the back door

I hear this really loud music—

bongos, drums, and strange wailing sounds,

coming from upstairs.

All the curtains are drawn.

I quietly close the door

and follow the sound.

I’m a little scared.

It could be a burglar

with mad musical tastes

robbing our house!

But no,

It’s Mum,

dressed in some weird

Middle Eastern costume

with balloon trousers,

spangled top,

and bare

totally naked!!! stomach

belly dancing

in front of the bedroom mirror.

Luckily,

she’s so involved in her dance

she doesn’t see me

so I duck into the hall closet

leaving the door open

just enough to watch

Barbara

Barbara

Barbara the Belly dancer!

glide, shimmy, shake,

and gyrate through an hour

of dance.

Mum’s pretty good too

and here in the dark of the closet,

I realise,

that to be this good

Mum must have been

dancing and practising for ages.

Me and Dad

never knew.

Dad would have a heart attack.

Maybe I should tell him!

(Dead Parent Wish # 5)