The Elephant Girl

I blame the mother. Fat lump

of a daughter so proud of her pale
blubber, her trunk, which she swings
from side to side, making elephant noises
to irritate her little mouse of a brother.

He ignores her, preferring to nibble
on cheesy crisps. So she hits him
in the head. His brown skin flushes red.
He squeals at his mother.

She’s on her mobile; a new boyfriend.
'Stop it now!' she says with a slap
on Elephant Girl’s big ears.
Elephant Girl roars and trashes a train seat.
Another slap, this time on the trunk.

‘I won’t forget this,’ says Elephant Girl.
‘I won’t get upset when you’re dead.’
She sulks, sucks her thumb and thinks
of ways to stamp her brother out.