The Brains In The Family

Blinding clusters splattered across the black canvas,
Yellow marshmallows behind my eyes
Like when we used to stare at the bathroom light for too long
And try to grab the pastel colours.
The invisible jellyfish wall that my plastic bath time dog
Could always eat through
The nail-scrubber was a boat to sail away on
But it sunk when it fell down the side of the sink.
Towel rides
Spinning through the hallway
Thud on the bed –
The pirate ship, marooned on a vast pink ocean
Watch out for the shark and its
Round sucking mouth that eats your pyjamas.
Hanging off the top of the bunk
To pull your curtains open
Too early on a Sunday and Teletubbies make me nauseous.
Running in the gusts of pink blossom from the
Roundabout.
Hiking Heidi liked spaghetti and she used to take nighttime walks
But she lost her hair and her self-esteem.

Rewind.

Meow, Meow through the banister
Tails made of tights and newspaper.
Wriggly goldfish next to the kitchen door
“Mrow” says Fuffi
I think she’s hungry.
Mummy isn’t happy and wriggly goldfish goes flying.
That little toy police car landed on your head
Oops.
Paper snails taste sweet
Lick and stick
Spinning snail mobile and humpty-dumpty wallpaper
The attic room
Slug House with the ‘Triffic Giraffe’.
Sucking my thumb
Being comforted by the Wicked Witch of the West
Falling asleep to the marching of blocked ears.

Fast forward.

Shaking with anxiety, chamomile tea,
The combination lock for the medicine cupboard
To keep you out.
And this all began when you opened your eyes to stare at the
Lights on the ceiling of the hospital in the New Year of ‘93
And it could have ended with you closing your eyes to blot
Out the pastel marshmallows
before Spring had begun.

Thank God you got the brains in this family, I think the blossom is growing.