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
