Dad made me a beaut wee yacht
to sail
while he swam in New Haven
and the best kite in Owaka
He got me guinea pigs
boring white mice
a stroppy goat
I name Boadicea
Baden Powell's
Scouting for Boys
I think Dad wanted me to be
manly
If I went away
he wouldn't look after them
Mum would cry.
So being manly seemed about
being stuck with guilt
and going
forward nonetheless.
Dad and me