The safety helmet sits atop
Your curly blond haired head
Beaming with joy you saddle up
On your pre-loved bright blue bike
Wobbling down the cycle path
On your first solo ride you go
Dad walks swiftly, close behind
Encouraging, chiding, adoring
"Watch where you're going..."
"You're doing well..."
"Don't ride into the lamp-post!"
A lilting sing-song voice
This scene plays out day by day
Throughout the summer months
Each day you grow stronger
Skilful, less clumsy
Then one day you zip ahead
Teetering on the brink of a fall
Dad's concern unfounded
Balance is restored
Fatherly concern turns to pride
"I did it, Daddy!" you cheer
Dad savours the moment
Bittersweet realisation
That your independence looms
Barry Alexander
Doha
November 2014
YOU ARE READING
Coalescence
PoetryI am attempting to branch out and free myself from the constraints imposed by the label 'war poet'. I once wrote a poem (sadly lost) which voiced my frustration at my apparent inability to write about anything other than combat and its aftermath. ...
