Tag Archives: parenting

Hanging out the washing

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I really do not understand
Why Mummy has to start each day
By hanging all the children’s clothes
Upon a line, high in the sun.

But all the same I love to watch
My nappies flapping in the wind,
With Helier’s shorts and Lucy’s tights.
All holding hands and blowing free.

From time to time throughout the day
My Mummy goes to feel the clothes,
And if it rains she rushes out
To bring them back into the house.

I trot beside her up the path
And watch the sun shine through the sheets,
It’s playing hide and seek with me
Behind the branches of the trees.

By teatime when the sun has moved
Around the house towards the West,
My Mummy goes to bring them in,
All full of summer air and sun.

For Beatrice, 18 months, who loves to hang out the washing with Judy. 8.3.78

Summer Kitchen

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La Croute RoadsideEarly tomatoes
On the window ledge
Slowly turning red
In summer sunshine.
Fresh mint and parsley
Waiting for potatoes
Steaming and buttered
In the willow dish.
Full-blown Peace petals
Fall on the table
Near raspberries fresh
Picked for jam making.
Gingham curtains blow
Sunshine and shadows
While wasps explore
The scraps saved for Puss.
Grandfather spreads out
His morning paper,
Puts on his glasses
And starts his day.

The Holidays

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My suitcase is ready,
I’m off to the sea,
I’ve packed all the treasures
I’m taking with me.

I’ve put in my spade
And inflatable ring,
My swimsuit and penknife,
Fishhooks and some string.

I’ve packed all my soldiers,
They won’t want to stay,
I’m taking my Teddy
And Panda to play.

Mum says it’s too early,
I mustn’t forget
That before we leave home
There are weeks to go yet.

It’s true – time goes slowly
Especially for me
With my suitcase all ready
To go to the sea.

For Helier, who had his suitcase packed at least two months early! Summer 1977