It clicked

When Dad smiled

and his cheeks

drew back

from his teeth,

there was a little clicking noise,

so even when

he was behind you

you knew

he was there

smiling.

When Mum died

he wanted us

to all carry on

as if nothing had happened

and we tried

but I got cross with him

so much

especially when

he ran the stew

under the tap.

And then one day

when I was going back to school

after lunch

I told him

that I loved him

- I made myself -

and he cried

and watched me

out of the kitchen window

go

all the way up the garden

well, up to the fir trees.

And I thought

Dad! Grow up, will you.

But actually it was me

who had to.

Sent from Mail for Windows 10