Daughter Patrol

Daughter Patrol

Remember your first date
Mine was May 75
Outside the chip shop,
It was closed at the time.

We stood there chatting
Then held hands
We turned to kiss
Then I heard that sound.

A sowing machine with wheels
Foot hard on the peddle
A 50cc moped
A sowing machine, with a treadle

A bright orange helmet
Was heading our way
Ground open up and eat me
Preferably today.

Yes my Dad, was on daughter patrol
Had he seen me, I’d soon find out
I walked into silence
There was no doubt.

Started courting,
So I see
“Didn’t think to tell us
Thought you’d let it be.”

You can bring him home
For Sunday tea
We’d like to meet him
Your mother and me.

Tomatoes and ham salad
Followed with peaches and cream
Tinned not the fresh one’s
On a tray, on our knee.

With mum’s beaming smile
That lit up the room
Dad’s conversation
I think they approve.

Later that night
Dad popped his head round the door
You’ve got a nice lad there
I hope we him some more.

Forty year’s later
Turns out Dad was right
In his bright orange helmet
On his 50cc bike.

Written by Pat Noon