Hot Chocolate

 

The world's worst hot chocolate,

made from dry earth, gravy browning and water,

my daughter's face crumples in disgust,

the sit down cafe' treat in tatters.

 

I should have read the 'signs' much sooner,

the waitress in burgundy nylon,

picking at her nails in the corner,

silently absorbed with flaking violet varnish.

 

The Menu board with absent letters,

asagne and acket potatoes,

a tired notice warns "Beware of Slop",

the 'e' missing, or maybe not.

 

We call our waitress and complain.

"Oh, you want our 'special' hot chocolate,

not the standard one" - she says,

raising an eyebrow at me...the mother.

 

50p extra but it is "special",

here it comes, alpine mountain of cream,

topped with chocolate sprinkles it wobbles,

through the crowd of tables it towers.

 

"Wow" says my daughter and I smile.

Spoon dipped into fluff and steam,

I watch her consume the top layer,

then reality dawns for us both.

 

This is the world's worst hot chocolate,

disguised as 'special' with creative coating,

like the waitress's spotty face,

masked with foundation.