Baby Love

Audio

Read by Jeanette Sterk

We’ve a baby in the house
That’s what they call her “Baby baby”.
You can hardly see her . . . just a tiny face.
We peer at her transfixed . . .unable to move away
Don’t lick her . . .don’t lick, they say.
But we are bewitched, awestruck, waiting and watching her
Sleep and wake.
We’ve a baby in the house.
We’re thrilled . . . sitting up she smiles and squeals.
Reaching out to us with busy hands and feet
Glowing, trembling with love we receive our first embrace.
Mind her face, they say, mind her face.
But we stand mute, amazed
Enchanted … enslaved.

The Scooter

Audio

Read by Jeanette Sterk

the scooter

Our mum has a scooter.
It’s so embarrassing.
Everyone stops to talk
And ask where she bought the thing.
At first we tried to pull her off
But she insisted . . . so we had to give in.
Now we run like the wind all round her
And need to keep watching
For she can disappear rather fast
And sometimes falls off!
And we have to help.
Why can’t she just walk?

the scooter

For Every Baby

Audio

Read by Jeanette Sterk

For Every Baby

and especially Tessie and Nonny who happen to be puppies

If it were not for you
I’d do the things I’m supposed to do
Like tidying my clothes, my shoes, my desk
My pots and pans and all the rest
And every other thing I possess.
Instead of which we play and cuddle
And snuzzle and nuzzle
And I jump about and pretend I’m a bear
And squeak like a bird.
It’s quite absurd.
I can’t resist this puppy charm
So now another hour has gone.

Remembrance Sunday

Audio

Read by Jeanette Sterk

Remembrance Sunday

The dogs are here
We come each year to the War Memorial
Wearing our poppies.
“Their forebears served in the trenches”I say, several times, very loudly.
I do wish they’d stand still and look gallant
Instead of scrubbling for crumbs and chewing gum stuck to the pavement
They peer around hoping to spot a chum
They do love a crowd
But when the bugle sounds
We are silent
And I, a wartime child, remembering the Dead
Bend over their heads
To bury my grief in their dancing eyes.