(I`m not sure if I posted this one about my
very first encounter with a girl in her full
Eastern regalia before)

 

 

I said, `Star of the east cuddle closer,
`Pearl of the Orient come near.
Tell me of clove-scented coastlines,
And tales that my heart longs to hear.

 

Whisper of nights in the desert
Dancing madly beneath a full moon,
Of Beduins on shuffling camels
Who snatched you away in a swoon.

 

Your father now. Is he an Emir?
A Sultan, a Caliph, - a Sheik?
Does he live in a white marble palace?
Do they weigh him with diamonds each week?

 

Does he keep half a score belly dancers?
A eunuch – and ten thousand slaves,
A stable of white Arab prancers?
`A Genie! – and treasure in caves?

 

She eyed me a little bit strangely
And said, `What`s to do with you mate?
My dad`s got a stall in the market
And we live on the Council estate.

 

Our Ali`s just started at Uni,
Yussef`s a prefect in school,
My nan`s on the check-out at Asda,
Jamal thinks the army`s real cool.

 

Don`t look so pale, my old hearty,
You look like you`ve just had a shock.
I`ve just come from a fancy-dress party,
And I`m wearin` my mother`s old frock.

 

So now – if you`ve done your romancin`
 Now we`ve all had a laugh at the joke,
If you`re askin`, let`s go then –we`re dancin`
 If not, mine`s a Bacardi and coke.`