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