THE CHILD IN HIS EYES

In wonder, he cradles his hopes in one palm

Then closes his eyes - within bliss, within faith.

He cuddles that uniform five seconds later

And smells those precious, swirling memories

As a deep field of fresh, country clover.

Hand in hand in love with the future and

Enfolding those smiles that are memorised for ever -

This tardis-like bubble of thoughts brings back the

Naughty and mischievous imp in him once again

And they frolic together like wispy wood-nymphs.

The transference of this thought

To their laughing, wholesome deed

Has grown from within their secret union

And he slowly, but very gently

Extracts the humour with the finesse of a fine chef.

They laugh and howl at the moon as the

Shared secret of her dad’s protective promise`

Comes alive and then, straightway,

Holds its breath -

The first communal sighting is met

With a silent gasp of anguish and realisation.

The rushed but halting confusion of that

Final, busy, generational aisle that replaces hidden fears for tears

Looms like an unknown club and beckons them to join.

But, very soon, with luck, the deed will reinforce his smile

With the wondrous echo of the giggle of the child in his eyes.

And he will cry as he opens that palm for the last time.