CosmiKnot

  The house is built for days like this I think as we step through the upvc front door and walk past two small hatch-back cars. You had been worried about your hay-fever and feeling sneezy. I tell myself that you will enjoy this when you get there but also remind myself that saying this out loud would not be helpful. In my patronising way I imagine I am with a horse that needs calming. Just get on the road I think and we do. Turning left out of the drive down the anti-clockwise curving descent of the crescent. Our home stands halfway around this arc. We pass the children’s chalk drawings reminding us to stay cheerful and happy. Then it’s on to the junction at the end of the road where a rich swathe of grass opens up. A football pitch where both of us played for teams and with each other. What’s your favourite memory of the seaside I ask inspired by the blue-sky breeziness filling the air? I don’t like the seaside remember? Oh but we had fun playing cricket outside the triangle cabi...

  Why do young people walk so slowly? Content to saunter and gently chat About the mornings course or this and that I genuflect for youth is holy   Why do young people walk so slowly? Behind them I must trail and stumble My ears eaves drop the words they mumble I cannot understand their manners wholly   Why then do young people walk slowly? Legs languidly stretched across my path A head softly turns and I hear a laugh Its muted echo repeats come follow me      

Bundled boys into the car Avoiding eye contact with neighbour cleaning car He most likely heard my shouts No dialogue just a stiff wave Head bowed shammy in motion Drive into centre towards old town Where are we going dad? Park between two transits On historic street leading to parish church Lucky to find a space on Sunday Youngest tells me I look like a tourist Large digital slr round neck Walk past the exiting churchgoers Daffodils swaying on the graves A delicious contrast in the sun Balloons tied to a gatepost Now starting to shrivel a little Youngest son darts away from the flag stone path Down to the stream Oh no exclaims eldest boy We stoop to pull him out Thick mud up to his thighs Forced to beat a retreat I drive home at speed Youngest tells mother I hate him I return to the historic street alone This time parking with ease Church has emptied out The bell strikes eleven as I round the Norman bell tower Daffodils sway...