Little Boy Blue

BLUE MONDAY

LITTLE BOY BLUE

Little Boy Blue, come, give us a smile!

Wherever you are, smiles are always in style.

You were born smiling, I'm certain of that,

And people smile back.... that's a great tit-for-tat!

Your grin and your dimple are truly beguiling!

Whatever you do, Max, never stop smiling!

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ESSENCE

When I was young, it came to pass

We journeyed down through France to Grasse.

Bare-legged, tanned and floppy-hatted

We came to fields all thickly-matted

With lavendar, sweet, aromatic,

And other flowers. We were ecstatic.

The perfumes, wafted on the breezes

Were full of everything that pleases.

Heat and sunshine, brilliant hues,

Things all English girls would choose.

Freed from grey skies, threatening rain,

We vowed not to go home again!

The Maritime Alps! Bliss in a name!

Life would never be the same.

We smelt herbs and precious spices

Due to be mixed in strange devices.

Cauldrons, ever on the boil,

Mingled spice and flower and oil.

Far below us lay the sea,

Clear, flat and blue, as sea should be,

Above us, reaching to the sky,

Were hills that watched the clouds go by.

Full of scent the summer air

Soaked our skin, our clothes, our hair.

The moments passed. Too soon we left.

I felt depressingly bereft.

But still the perfume hasn't faded,

Though years have made me dull and jaded.

Breathing deep, I smell it still,

And I know I always will.

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