Yes, John, there is. There are many. But they are all considerably bigger than Barbie and most of them require a foot-pump.

(This post is a test to gain material for my response to Peter's challenge.)

At the risk of sounding like I know too much about it, Ann, that is not the case these days. The 'downstairs Kojak' look is all the rage, both with women (at least those under 30 or so) and their vinyl simulacra.

Or so I'm told.

I think I may have to rewrite that line in my poem, though. That ambiguity hadn't occurred to me.

Not THAT kind of doll, Ann. The very idea.

Sorry, but that was the first thing that crossed my mind, along with the fact that the shops that sell them are often called "Private Shops" and have blacked-out windows. Shops that are, from the point of view of polite society "not there".

The shop with blacked-out windows is the place where we all go,
The dirty-mackintosh brigade, in search of stimulation;
We’ll pore for hours over magazines, and yet, you know,
It’s funny how we shy away from actual copulation.

I think Rob's and Brian's are both great, and "The downstairs Kojak look" had me in stitches!! (Who says it's for under-30's? Oops, better stop there...;) )

Good one, Rob, a great improvement on the first version. I particularly like "The Dawkins Book of Prayer" and "reggae by Voltaire".

John, I've only just caught up on most of this thread, including your piece, which is lovely - "...a pungent distillation of despair". I think Jayne should send you at least some of her handbags and shoes.

Young women wear lollipops in their knickers? Weird.

Yes, they do. They carry the remote controls in their handbags. Just trust me and don't ask.

Rob,

I love Dawkin's Book of Prayer in the revision, but deeply mourn the loss of Bruno Brookes' translation of Pasternak.

best,

Matt