'Little Johnny's Final Letter'

Mother,

I won't be home this evening, so 
don't worry; don't hurry to report me missing. 
Don't drain the canals to find me, 
I've decided to stay alive, don't 
search the woods, I'm not hiding, 
simply gone to get myself classified. 
Don't leave my Shreddies out, 
I've done with security. 
Don't circulate my photograph to society 
I have disguised myself as a man 
and am giving priority to obscurity. 
It suits me fine; 
I have taken off my short trousers 
and put on long ones, and 
now am going out into the city, so 
don't worry; don't hurry to report me missing. 




I've rented a room without any curtains 
and sit behind the windows growing cold, 
heard your plea on the radio this morning, 
you sounded sad and strangely old .... 

Brian Patten