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