Keeping the Light On
Before I could read it was no surprise
I saw the world through others’ eyes
With tales of dragons, fairies, elves
These were the books upon my shelves
By six or seven my reading started
I moved to places quite uncharted
Enid Blyton’s ‘Famous Five’
Made my imagination thrive;
Castles, caves and ghostly homes
Took the place of imps and gnomes
George and Julian, Anne and Dick
Resourceful, clever, sharp and quick
They’d head off on a hike together
Struggle through appalling weather
Timmy the dog would join in too
And somehow they would all come through
They’d holiday in a caravan
And follow a mysterious man
Solving crimes with expert skill
From Smuggler’s Top to Billycock Hill
A secret message, curious parcel
An empty, medieval castle
So much danger, so much fear
And hope of rescue never near
What puzzled me was how could they
Be negligently left to play
On cliff top edges, raging seas
And walk in bogs up to their knees
Live a week unregulated
Health and safety understated
Not a sign of Mum or Dad
Their parenting was really bad
Where were all the older folk?
It worried me. It was no joke
No wonder I would keep my light on
Unnerved by dear old Enid Blyton
