Hi Sally,
I've never had maternal - and can't ever recognise haveing any paternal - 
feelings - so I don't think I'm qualified to say too much about this piece!
I'm wondering about the interplay of the image of knickers and the concept 
of motherhood. That, too me, seems worth working on.
I also wonder about the narrator of the poem - how old/young she is. We know 
her clock is ticking (like the crocodile but unlike Wendy's and Peter Pan!). 
I almost think she probably has a few more thoughts about the conciet of 
"underwear" that might work in the poem. Although I don't linger near the 
departments in shops I do know there's lots of shapes, styles, materials and 
colours!
I think the person whose thoughts are driving the poem could have other 
relevant things to say about knickers and, therefore, about where she feels 
she is in life.
So, I'm suggesting, Less of what we've got, And a bit more of something 
else.
Bob


>From: Sally James <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Pennine Poetry Works <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: new sub, Kids to have or have not....
>Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2006 09:22:39 +0100
>
>Don't know where the poems come from sometimes. How about this one?
>
>
>
>
>Kids, to have or have not……
>
>Hmm this keeps thinking, should I
>or should I not have them?
>Should I take the plunge, bask in babyness
>for a year or two completely obsessed
>or should I take that promotion smilingly
>offered by the boss?
>Hmm, does he really want to get into my knickers?
>(Which are quite scanty at the moment
>by the way.)
>Hmm, never saw mum in a thong, only
>the huge ones that flapped on the line
>every washday. Her and dad, well so secure,
>babyness was what she wanted, they both wanted.
>But me, hmm again, so many options these days
>and marriage well, that doesn’t matter any more.
>I know my maternal clock is tick, tick, ticking
>and soon the alarm will go off, when I forget
>accidentally on purpose (of course) to pop the pill.
>Well, the boss would make a good father
>and the gene stock suits, smart, intelligent,
>right height, eye colour AND wealthy.
>Hmm this babyness keeps, keeping me thinking.
>If the boss asks me to, think I will marry him
>have his babies, then wear big knickers like mum.
>
>
>Sally James