Bagpuss never cries

we will find it we will bind it

we will stick it with glue glue glue

we will stickle it every little bit of it

 we will fix it like new new new

(The Mending song, Bagpuss)


*

your stripes are trembling in pink

the sun is still away

I hold you tight and then I think

'..this is our saddest day'

‘..he climbs a tree, I bet!' I say

‘or scoffs up jam on toast’

but you just turn your nose away

and meaow to me: ‘..get lost!’

a book, a car, a broken wheel,

a sock, a lego piece

I almost found my strength of will

when they invite a kiss

red cheeks, the riots, little lies,

the ‘I did not do it’ noise

the ‘mummy-this' and 'mummy-that’

the ‘can I have more toys?’

they’re in my throat.  I said ‘Good bye!’

while clinging to his voice

he’s growing up, you smelly cat,

the school trip was his choice

today until tomorrow comes

with red eyes, barely dry

I learn that little soldiers' mums

and Bagpuss never cry

..to Nicholas