The Dirigible Balloon
Poetry for Children

Tracey’s Dinner

Tracey is wonderful Tracey is great.
But she has rules about her dinner plate.
Her food must be spread out and not in a bunch,
As this would just spoil her lunch.

Her food will mix if it gets to close.
The flavours will just overdose.
The food will change its personality
chips and peas could become pips or cheas.

Her pie crust has to sit far apart.
From those bad baked beans with their bleeding hearts.
If the two touch too much the crust will go soft,
Like an athlete eating too much candy floss.

Sauces must endure apartheid
Away from main course they should hide.
They are only meant to flavour the meat alone.
And even then, they are tightly chaperoned.

Carrots and courgettes are an obsession
And must stand in a soldierly procession,
by the side of potatoes that are roasted.
Or slices of bread that have been toasted.

Tracey has her foibles about her food,
And every mouthful is very well chewed.
These are not unique everyone’s got them.
But don’t mention gravy it’s from the Devil’s bottom.

About the Writer


Robert Sigley

Robert is a 61 year old disabled poet/musician who occasionally does live and online gigs. He has dystonia a brain condition affecting his balance, and speech. Robert has written a book Postcards from Dystonia about what his life is like and is available on Amazon. He lives with his wife and best friend Tracey in South East London.