“In your light I learn how to love.
In your beauty, how to make poems.
You dance inside my chest
where no-one sees you, but
sometimes I do, and
that sight becomes this art.”
― Rumi

Monday, December 08, 2025

Statutory declaration

As you fill your Hello Kitty 
school bag with your flowery hat 
and your giggles 

As the house overflows 
from too many vague 
animal shapes and squiggles

As you look at me - your 

pet Gruffalo with an air 

of bemused curiosity 


(For I am still more a clown 

than a hero 

and perhaps will be 

- quite happily -

for ever more)


I think of the days 

before you

Before I knew

you were a part 

of my whole 


And let me assure you 

and all else who would listen


You were preceded 

in this world 

by a love story

Hand in hand

The engine ticks quietly 
in the cold,
As we wait at the 
sleepy station 
for mommy's smile, 
a small voice floats up 
from the back seat:
"Daddy, I haven't 
told you this before..."

"Yes, sweet?" | mutter, 
half-distracted 
by the daily grind 
rattling in my head

"I feel really safe 
when I keep my hand in yours"

A frantic thought escapes 
my unwitting lips, hope 
or fear or both perhaps:
"But is it going to be 
big enough for you, sweet?"

Her reply rides 
a gentle moment 
fluttering softly to the ground:

"It will always be big enough, Daddy"

A head butt …

… of affection


Is all I get 

These days 


No hugs no more

from the unexpected 

package Santa sent us

15 years ago


Slightly early for the

Festive lights

And yet she lit up

Our universe leaving

No dark corners behind


Eternal smile bringer 

With a little hand that 

No longer slips into mine


An eye roll 


Is all I get

These days 


A well aimed sock

Bounces off my head

‘Attack!’ comes the

Squeaky war cry

While exploding giggles 

Oil the gears of

Our laundry war


Sensible demure

sighs of restrained

exasperation


Is all I get

These days 


Fifteen is when 

A new friend calls,


Inviting you out

Into the darkness,


Anxiety, bringing

Their hooded 

buddies along

Fear and loathing

And ennui perhaps


With a long list

Of what’s wrong

With this world 

full of

Old idiots like

Gruffalo daddy


It is all unfair and 

It has always been so

And we did try, but

Not hard enough


And it needs your 

Sense of fairness

And heartfelt outrage

And innocent sincerity


Radhika

You free radical

You super-powered

Superoxide

———————


I step 

- rather gingerly -

off my soap box

To no applause 


The silent treatment 


Is all I get

These days