"Thang Yew Ver' Much"

He's waiting -

in faded, rhinestone glory -

behind moth-eaten velour

on a temporary stage.

Later,

facing outwards over the footlights,

as the limelight bulbs are fading,

Joe might pass

for a late Gracelands Porker

but not the Vegas Comeback King.

Just as well the kliegs went

to CashConverters

after the last 80s revival.

A 15-year-old boy is on drums

Joe’s old school-friend plays

the last upright bass in Lincolnshire.

On guitar is someone with a DA

and the whole string tie and boots shtick.

Joe’s reminded of that Bowie song

and knows how the mother felt.

The curtains part,

the backing track is

turned on by the guitar player,

who can afford a brass-section,

nowadays?

Joe counts himself in,

Viva Skeg-Vegas.