Some of these pieces were written originally as poems but have been reworked as prose. Here are the two original poems that the prose piece, other people’s babies is based on.
First Words
Years later
DADDA
MAMMA
Is debated.
Elevated to the choice.
Who did she love more?
Who did she want more?
But in fact
Her first word
Was “Fruits”.
This leaves us all looking at the floor.
First Step
Legs push
Face red
Struggles alone
Every part of him
Except one hand
Strains forward
That hand
Holds up his nappy
He. Will. Walk.
He. Might. Talk.
One day.
It depends.
But, today:
He. Will. Walk.
“All by myself”
The PM’s face maps the strain
The nurse makes it ok, then yawns
The marine grunts, charges, falls
The bus driver warms us with her smile
The surgeon’s knife falls
The teacher tries to inspire
The baker sweats out his loaves
The mechanic fixes my tyre
My stress. Work. Calls. Emails. Funding.
And then I think of him
Just one step
“All by myself”.
Now that’s a hard day’s work.
Dadhood 