Tag Archives: childhood

First winter

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The year is still raw
In spite of the shoots
And the thin sunshine.
The cows lie behind
Brown bramble hedges,
Safe from the sharp wind.
On his daily walk
My son turns apple
Red and chubby hands
Turn purple, scorning gloves.
Forefinger and thumb
Point to sky and birds
And dogged walkers.
Everything receives
Mention in his list
Many times over,
In case his mother.
Both ears well muffed,
Should fail to listen.

7th March 1971

The Music Box

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Daddy returned from Holland
With a music-box for me.
He pulled a string and from inside,
As clear as clear could be,
A little tune came tumbling out
Like moonlight on the sea.

I held it up against my ear
As I lay still in bed.
The moonlight filled my tiny room,
The music filled my head,
And when at last I fell asleep,
I dream of it instead.

February 1980

My Roadside Stall

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I’ve gathered all the windfalls
And made a roadside stall,
I’ve put them in a little box
Upon the garden wall.

I hope somebody buys them,
They’re very good, you see,
They’re good for apple crumble
Or bramble jam for tea.

I’ve washed and dried the apples
And polished every one,
If you pass by you’ll see them
All shining in the sun.

I think somebody’s stopping
Beside my roadside stall,
I hope they like my apples
And maybe buy them all.

For Lucy