Kids’ Stuff
Hanging round parks for a go on the swings
your palms smelling of metal off the roundabout
The iron grip of the slide as you launch yourself
It’s kids’ stuff but I still like it.
Dipping your fingers in sherbet and licking
Sticking your tongue into your ice cream
Strengthening your suck on a chocolate milk shake
It’s kids’ stuff but I still like it
Playing follow-my-leader when no one can see
Tidying your dollshouse and making them speak
Cuddling your teddy when you can’t get to sleep
It’s kids’ stuff but I still like it
Reading Narnia books and travelling with Hobbits
Watching E. Nesbit’s books on the box
Curling up in a chair with a book and some chocolate
It’s kids’ stuff but I still like it
Making shapes with your bread dough and watching it rise
Making gingerbread men with currants for eyes
Putting smarties on top of little iced cakes
It’s kids’ stuff but I still like it
Going to the pictures to watch Walt Disney
Getting sticky fingers from eating popcorn
Sucking an ice-lolly through the second half
It’s kids’ stuff but I still like it
People try and tell you ought to grow up
My kids don’t mind having a daft mum
I don’t see why I should stop having fun
It’s kids’ stuff but I still like it.
© Angela Topping
Poetry Roundabout 