Three robot arms
is the only answer to the question
how did you carry everything:
football kits, pop-punk albums,
empty crisp packets put back in the cupboard,
lifts from to the train station, lifts to
the train station, new bikes, stolen bikes,
new bikes, twisted ankles, hospital trips,
the weight of being Father Christmas.
Do you remember when I got mustard in my eye?
It must’ve taken the strength of three robot arms
not to laugh and focus on distracting me
from the fire. Three robot arms: one on the left,
one on the right, one in place of your spine.

© Carl Burkitt 2022