He used to take us to Hamleys,
on the few occasions we’d see him,
and buy something small
like that plastic stuff
you blow balloons with
through a straw
and then we’d go on to a restaurant;
I always chose sausages and a coke
a rare treat indeed.
He didn’t really spoil us, in fact
it was probably the least he could have done
but we always looked forward to those days.
It must have driven our mum mad.
well now his absence is for good and I shall miss him
and his rather clumsy efforts at being a father.
by Scooj