Not all dads are useless tw*ts Some are something of a catch But it’s also fair to say There are a few who will intensely challenge you one way
Or another It’s not to say every mother is perfect But where we’ve been the last few weeks It’s the babes and mamas that speak And say things like “My dad isn’t all that great He’s made me feel pretty rubbish today.”
And of course not just one isolated incident Because that wouldn’t be fair But honestly, examples, I’ve plenty to spare It does make me sad Because my dad He’s pretty cool, always encouraging Even if what I’m excited about is not really his thing
And if I could share him I would I have offered that to someone before I realise what I have is quite unusual Compared to others, taking a perusial I know - sorry - another new word But hear me out, I know the bard Wouldn’t mind, and, whilst I’m here, I wonder what he Was like as a papa To his little people.
Be decent, if you say you’ll do it go ahead Would be some of the best advice If asked, I would have said Think for a moment, be sensitive And if you think it may be hurtful I’d suggest perhaps To keep it at bay.
I get that sometimes it’s hard to get it right Sometimes we’re all not feeling that bright But take a deep breath and slow it down It’s not about being a “man about town” It’s about listening, learning and getting to know The kids, the little ones, the ‘fruit of your loin’
Because the language they speak is different you see Not always the same as you and me And sometimes you have to lean in to hear If not in person, metaphorically so But it’s worth it, this taking the time To really hear our children I think it’s worth getting in line
For understanding them fully may lead us a whole new direction They’re an incredible gift This next generation
The Spell of the Sea
Is there any better place to be Than under the spell of the sea Surrendering to her waves Whilst miles below those mystical caves Wait to be explored
Feeling the swell Under the spell Of the sea So much she can teach me
About taking things in My stride Feeling pride For little steps I can make
For sometimes those mountains That later looked like molehills Were hard to scale And then they pale
Into insignificance When faced With the latest challenge But you know what?
Because you’ve been hanging out in the sea Like me You know you can do it Don’t need to prove it To anyone but yourself.
Sometimes it’s a little like riding the waves Knowing there’s caves And you can get stuck Bit of a head fuck If I’m honest
But walking the path Seeing the gifts That come from the dark From the pain You know what? I’d do it again.
Cat love
Writing poetry One handed with a cat Purring on your knee Like a lawnmower
Pinning you down Head butting your face Totally, totally Changing the pace
Of life, what you need do Stroke me, love me “It’s all about you” That cat that is
For as soon as I move He’s on it Demanding, shouting For food.
But in this space It’s all about this Cuddles and love And a soggy nose kiss
Insect Safari
I love the idea of micro adventures Taking time off to camp, walk and be Swimming in rivers, and the sea But recently, whilst slowing down Something else is intriguing me now
What if, and this probably isn’t for adrenaline junkies Instead of thinking we must fly, travel to swing with monkeys Through huge forests and enormous trees We sat quietly, hands on our knees
And observed what was there, right in front of us here Nano adventures I’m calling this one It could be as simple as watching a swan
My favourite nano adventure Is just out of my front door on the ‘shed bench’ Which is my name for it, officially it’s an arbour But ‘she-shed’ is what I’ve called her
Way back many years ago I’d watch my grandparents bird watching And think “what are they doing? Isn’t there somewhere better to be going?”
But now I’m getting it and love to stare At the birds that fly through the air We’ve been away in Kent and had parakeets visit Which has been an absolute treat
But right here at home, we’ve gone one smaller And “insect safari” is what I’ve called it So here, we sit and we stare And they all visit the flowers right there In front of us
It’s only a small area, crafted with love for all to enjoy By my thoughtful and caring boy Sitting here, time changes No longer linear, almost stretching
Nothing matters in that moment Except watching the hover fly land on the daisy If my old self were to see me I’m sure she’d think “how crazy
This is, just sitting and watching” But there’s so much happening - it’s really intriguing So perhaps try it Next time you need some time out
Or another nano adventure There’s many to choose Watching raindrops chase each other down windows And see which one will lose
Or stroking a dog That’s another good one The point isn’t that it’s wild, you see I guess it’s all about learning to be
Present and mindful And here in the moment Insect safari Maybe give it a go
And see if it’s true Like for me, for you too That time changes
Things Slow Right Down
Women
I remember this feeling as whilst I was giving birth When my daughter was joining us here on this earth A feeling where I felt connected To every woman who ever existed Past, present and future It was so primal, Almost tangible, And felt incredibly powerful I’d never felt anything quite like it before Seriously amazing, feeling the roar Of womenkind everywhere.
I wonder in this world where women are hurting If we can harness this feeling, all working Together with passion Beyond sharing style and fashion To something far deeper
To what it’s all about Compassion and love On a fathomless level
Whilst I’m here, I have to admit I’m not keeping abreast of all The devastating news Around the world. A while ago I decided that If I were to watch things I couldn’t change Felt disempowered from Where I couldn’t take action That perhaps delving in for hours Wasn’t the best thing to do with my power
As a gorgeous woman said to me recently I could read for days and still have no more handle On the whys and wherefores of the whole situation On the history and political standing But to send love, I don’t need more understanding
To know others are struggling Needs no more puzzling Do what you can With what you have
Whilst I am here I wanted to say Not saving it For another day Mother Theresa said ‘Peace starts at home’ Let’s heed that message, And make it a good one. So whilst yes, definitely yes Do reach out wherever you can Let’s not forget that quote either Helping another Whether a struggling father Or an exhausted mother Listening to a child Or whatever you like Let’s work together Day and night
We are birthing a new world And can see the things we want and need And those that we don’t Let these times be a warning that we must heed Oppression, suppression in whatever country We don’t stand for that, Don’t be a numpty And wherever you can, Empower each other Mother, daughter, child or lover
It’s time to stand up, Stand together Whatever the hour, Whatever the weather The time is here The time is now And if you’re asking how Just look around I know the answer can be found
We are one great race Many beautiful people Let’s stand with each other Apart no longer For I am certain that Together we are stronger
With love to all girls and women everywhere (and all the boys and men birthed by them) ❤️
No
It’s one of the smallest words out there But also one of the hardest It feels like reconditioning To to able to listen in And say ‘no’
So rarely I’ve flexed it This ‘no’ muscle It becomes quite a puzzle How did it become quite so So difficult to say ‘no’
A fear of not being liked? Of fitting in? Perhaps a need to be needed? Or all of them?
Somehow with age Turning the page I found that it wasn’t that bad Wasn’t that hard
And, at last I could do it Wait for it… No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, No, no, there’s no limit!
I can look after me Learn a new way to be And start to stop And know when to say no.
Finally. Thankfully. No thank you Not for me today Perhaps another day.
Can a book save you?
Can a book save you? It’s fair to say it really helped me And whilst there was a combination of space, friends and sea I know it was a part of rescuing me
Before, it had become slightly manic The world situation had me in somewhat of a panic And parenting a teen Weeeelllll if you’ve been There, you’ll know It’s not always a flow Of harmony and joy
Don’t get me wrong Sometimes it’s magical But sometimes impractical To think the ride will be smooth
So I’m grateful to this little book That as part of a combination of things Really helped me to look Differently at life
And see the impermanence of all And how not realising that Contributed to my fall To my dis-ease of living
I’m learning a gentler way I probably need much more practice I’d say But there is hope and there is light And I’m grateful for both of those tonight
Write your own headlines
“Oh Yay! Oh Yay!” The town crier would say “Here’s the news Here’s the views Of the world Here’s what you should think How you should feel”
Now the papers And the internet They tell you What not to forget
But how about This turnaround What if we write Our own story tonight
To sell in the morning Would that be transforming?
Woman takes time out Exhausted mother of three Goes to climb a tree Rediscovers her laugh And her beautiful smile
Tired and anxious mama Discovers swimming with friends She goes in the river with the heron And finds herself daring To do more And again to explore Possibilities that abound
Child steps away from the screen And thinks "where have I been? Life is bigger than that Time to go walk with the cat"
Simple things, little choices But we can decide Do we hide our light In the news and fearful times That we’re told to believe
Is it possible there’s a benefit To remaining in fear? Not for you my dear, As an individual, oh no But perhaps for the powers that be
Fearful folk are easier to control And whilst that may not be the goal It’s hard to deny There’s not much positivity On the ‘news’
I’ve taken a break from nearly all of it now Along with a book, good friends and the sea It’s definitely brought a sense of calm to me So, if you’re overwhelmed and struggling May I recommend A notebook and pen
And write your own headline I’d love to read it, if you explore this Then perhaps also the byline And then before you know it You could totally change your focus
And see, like me, what’s really going on In your space In front of your face And mostly, mostly It’s not death and destruction And high alert and panic
Then sometimes you can breathe The tension can ease And joy can return Like the unfurling of a fern
Write your own headlines today Give it a go You never know the magic It might start The happiness it might spark
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