Lily

 I lowered Bluebells’ windows wide and drove down the A55 at a pace.

What covid I breathed out soon was blasted out of the car in an instant and soon I was feeling cold but exhilarated by the wind. 

that’s cleared the old tubes I thought

I drove to Colwyn Bay and sat on the beach with my flask of coffee

This was 9 am this morning and I had already walked the dogs.

Women were wild swimming in the sea and I could here them laughing from where I sat.

It’s always nice to hear laughter no matter where it’s from

It’s been a long and fairly miserable winter all told

I’ve never experienced one so long, except in lockdown 

And with spring here things seem to be on the up. 

They feel better? 

Don’t you think? 

Two women passed me , they were talking about Paul O’Grady whose death was announced this morning

“ I loved him as Lily Savage” one said to another and I wondered if O’Grady knew just how affectionately he was thought of I thought.

I loved the story about him when he was comparing a drag show in the 1980s in London and the bar was raided by Policemen all wearing rubber gloves ( HIV protection) because it braking section 28 rules, Lily Savage called out to the punters that they were there to help with the washing up.

Thanks to O ‘Grady we now have drag Queens in our libraries reading stories to children. 

With his Liverpudlian wit, amazing legs and fuck you attitude that never lost a little warmth, he endeared himself to the majority that met him. 

He did a great deal for the  LGBTQ+  Community 

And he loved his dogs.

You were a class act Lily …..a real class act