As a child you learn so much
from whipped cream... to silverfishes
be sick and get well

what is tough, what is dirty
where the fixed spots
are in the whiz

of the grown-ups
clean up the toys
you'll need again tomorrow

a year takes nine
haircuts, and you have to sneeze
from hair and tangarines

what your favourite colour is, tickling
thumbwriting and Mikado patience
you swim through the streets

of the planted woods
ahead of dad and mum
beetles, tractors and trains

elfrorquals, wasps' nests
sheepskin and rubber tiles
get up again, walk away

from mum when she asks
it goes?, of course
it goes

by