Mr Bowlly Regrets
             (Al Bowlly, 1898-1941)

Mr Bowlly regrets he’s unable to sing today, Madam,
Mr Bowlly regrets, he’s unable to sing today …
 
  That voice’s lemon-drop perfection, his
  name on blue plaque, mass memorial
  for fatalities after heavy bombing.
  Fateful decision, returning to his flat
  to be killed by a falling door.
 
  Britain’s Crosby, etched name not
  doing justice to resplendent tones
  enamouring thousands.
 
Mr Bowlly regrets he’s unable to sing today,
Madam, Mr Bowlly regrets, he’s unable to sing today …
 
  Voice smoothing fist-fight edges,
  as housewives, cleaners, factory-girls
  tuned-in for the thrill of life as ‘just
  a bowl of cherries,’ ‘dreaming.’
 
  Now he’s on record, footage, even
  an Al impersonator, vocal cocoa rich
  singing of ‘stars and you.’ Better
  memorial than hard-carved letters.
 
Mr Bowlly sings soft, if you’ll tune-in today, Madam,
Mr Bowlly sings soft, if you’ll only tune in today,
He’s sorry song was delayed,
would hate to leave girls dismayed, Madam,
Mr Bowlly sings dreams, if you tune in, today.
 

Deborah Tyler-Bennett

in collection Mr Bowlly Regrets, 2017, King’s England Press,
ISBN 978-1-9095486-9-5