My beard is the first one ever
to not scare Jemima.
Bubbles are pouring from the mouth
of a red fish and Jonathan
is pointing at my eyes.
Charlotte thinks my water bottle is hers.
It’s important for Hattie to know me,
I’m told, she has no uncles or grandads
and the man who got her mum pregnant left
six months before Hattie was born.
Danny stops dancing every few seconds
to look at me over his shoulder.
Next week we’ll be celebrating Father’s Day,
incorporating all of the things dads like:
football, cricket, and driving.

© Carl Burkitt 2021