Why can I not bathe in the sea, Dad
And feel the lapping waves
Hunt spindly crabs and starfish
With bucket and with spade
And where are all the shellfish
I have seen them in my book
Now all that's left is pictures
None for Mum to cook

Why can't I go for a walk, Dad
Without my breathing mask
It tickles my nose and somehow
Makes me want to cough
And when I'm older, how Dad
Will I ever kiss a boy
Outside in the sunshine
I really get annoyed

Why do you and Mum, Dad
Always seem so sad
When you look at the old photos
Of when you were a lad
Did you really eat meat
Was it from a cow
Look its going to rain again
I can't go out now

Why is the snow grey, Dad
Is it not supposed to be white
For it says so in the old songs
And in the Christmas cards you write
Can I watch the screen now
The one that shows the seals
I would have liked to see one
Were they really real

Could you go out when you liked,Dad
Even at midday
You did not have to wait till
The sun's rays died away
If I could have a magic wish
I know what it would be
I'd wish the world was back again
To what it used to be.

© Moira Cullen.

Moira Cullen is a member of Strathaven Writers' Group. This poem was written for and published in 'Sideways 3' for Southside Writers group in 1993.