my perfect child

My perfect child
loves swings in the park,
runs all the day
and then wakes in the dark –
falls out of trees
gets mud on new shoes,
tells parents’ secrets
at school when it’s ‘News’.

My perfect child
sings so out of tune!
yet choruses gladly
while dancing the room –
makes lots of noise
while waiting in lines,
gets fits of giggles
at un-funny times.

My perfect child
cares nothing for clothes,
prefers to swim naked
while picking their nose –
assures me that yellow
goes nicely with pink,
collects dirty bottles
and beetles that stink.

My perfect child
hates ‘silent’ and ‘still’,
thinks them unnatural
unless feeling ill –
but loves tickly hugs
and snotty kissing:
Important Things rule-books
seem to be missing.

My perfect child
so quickly grows tall,
next eyebrow-piercings
tattoos and all! –
so I’ll tell you now
before you roam far…
I think you are perfect –
just as you are.           

xx Love Mum