I have fed my son Shreddies,
played three rounds of the London
Underground board game,

put the outdoor furniture cover back on
after the wind unwrapped it like a present,
unloaded and loaded the dishwasher,

remembered to wash tomorrow’s PE kit,
made a questionable balloon animal,
and wiped down the kitchen counter.

164 miles away
my mum is asleep in her bed,
unaware a phone call of recognition
is desperately awaiting her.

Carl Burkitt 2026