There was a girl in a tabard who once did spy A cute young man with her roving eye She wooed him with flowers and her insatiable ways Then took him home where he was captive for days.  As time went by things moved much slower Until 10 years later on a beach in Goa In true Ali style she got down on one knee And said the words ‘will you marry me?’  For years they lived cooped up in a flat Where there wasn’t the space to swing even a cat If you stood in the hallway with your arms out wide You could touch every room – there was nowhere to hide.  So they packed their bags and moved away from the Smoke And transformed themselves into rural folk However leaving London caused Ali to weep As now she lives amongst the cows and sheep.  Like true country bumpkins they spend hours in the garden Causing their smooth city hands to blister and harden Though they often retreat to London for a fix Then return to their home stuck out in the sticks.  So the day has arrived and they’re finally wed We’re lucky Paulo’s not playing golf instead After 12 years of courting they’ve said ‘I do’ And here we are with the bride in blue.  At last they agree on something in life To nag and bicker as husband and wife Though there’s nothing on earth, not cuddles nor kisses That could persuade Ali to become a Mrs.  It’s clear each other they’d be lost without And Ali would starve there is no doubt So may the battle continue to be the boss In the marriage of Mr and Ms Dos Santos! Lisa (BM) xxx 26th August 2005