They’re talking about their grandchildren
with lips softer than their approach to fatherhood.
Glasses says his grandson is as good as gold
even when he forgets dinnertime. Green Shirt
describes Nibble Day: a once a week afternoon
where you can’t see the coffee table through
bowls of Pom Bears, Haribo and Party Rings.
Shoes talks about eyes that never close;
sky blue fishing nets catching every new moment
of any given minute. The silence as they sip
their tarmac black stouts is the chance
for their tongues to swirl the word
‘pride’ into foamy white tops.

© Carl Burkitt 2021