Did you know I won the relay at the father-son sports day?
Well, Uncle Eric went with me, cos you had gone away,
I hoped you'd be home Saturday, we had a cricket game,
Grandpa picked me on his team but it wasn't quite the same.

I took your business card to school, to use in show and tell,
I asked Mum for a sample of the products that you sell,
But Teacher said it wasn't right, and I was rather sad
To get disqualified - what's "commercialism," Dad?

My birthday party went quite well, all my friends came round,
And Aunt Elizabeth dressed up as Stumblebum the Clown,
You should have seen the cake, well, if you really want to know,
Paul's Dad captured everything on his home video.

I know that you were busy, with no time to buy a gift,
It doesn't matter, Dad, just seeing you gives me a lift,
But next year I'll be seven, and if it's all right with you,
Could you and all the Aunts put in and buy Playstation 2?

On Monday night, well, Mum got scared because she heard a sound,
She thought it might be somebody outside, prowling around,
Don't worry, Dad, I took control and grabbed my baseball bat,
I'd have flattened any burglars, in seven seconds flat.

I've seen your airplane tickets and I promise I won't cry,
I know you do what you must do, so I'll just say goodbye,
I hope you come back quickly, when you do then I'll be glad,
Can you ring me up for Christmas? Goodbye, I love you, Dad.

more of my FAMILY POEMS here