But They Loved Their Dear Old Mum

But They Loved Their Dear Old Mum

the old outlaws on the big screen

mile end odeon were nostalgically

handsome even their shadows

were larger than life 

but hollywood noir heroes

are thin on the ground down

the ratcliff highway and 

petticoat lane market

every girl worth a second glance

gets the hots for a bad’un it’s an

unwritten rule as is not being a grass to 

the boys in blue

she knows that to twirl a curl and bat 

a lash even for a mystery psychopath

dapper dressed in black is where it’s at 

then down the blind beggar

sipping a port and lemon with

the krays who wore suits from saville row

don’t you know

who were photographed by bailey

were must have guests for 

any hip and happening champagne party

had they not been incarcerated for

another decade or two

there would have been 

a book deal a spread in hello maybe 

even a slot on the telly

god bless our east end villains

salt of the earth

from the very streets jack the ripper 

done his best work

©  P.A.Levy  2012

first published by  Your One Phone Call  2015