The Child

The Child

There is a child
sitting in your lap
Right now.

Look down for a second
And she or he will
Meet your eyes.

You don't need to
Have given birth
Or suckled

Or even parented.
You don't need to
Be clever or special

In fact having a streak
Of ordinariness
Can help

In the recognition
Of the acceptable nature
Of the need to

Daydream and find
A house in your lap
Where the two

Of you can get to
Know one another
And be comfortable

And make tea not war
And play tiddly winks
And dream of

A fine day here
In the light of
This blue Planet.