I cannot remember as a child
Who taught me not to bite into
A lemon, not to take between my teeth
the bubbling yellow and drench
my chin with juice.
In the same breath Santa Claus was
Not real and a cake could be bought
Without a birthday. A whole rainbow
Of felt tips may be purchased for a pound
And pretty girls will spit and curse. No excuse can be

Stitching: a poem about tattoos

Found for bad behaviour in an excess of
Sugar and E numbers are Pinocchio’s myth,
Growing with each retelling. Teachers have
Favourite children and daddies and the stork will not drop a

Newborn at your door. The Easter bunny
Shops at Tesco like everybody else and people often
Smile when they are not happy. Mummy
Is not always right.
How bitter it was without warning
To peel back the foamy skin
And bite