"If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride"

If only she had listened
but when you are only three what do you hear
an ice-cream van playing a little jingle
someone's radio playing very near
She wished she hadn't turned over
to feel the deep heat of sun on my back
Daisy promised she would stay at the edge
and collect cockle shells in her tiny net sack
How could she have fallen asleep
amidst Ambre Solaire and the heat
with Richard and Judy's pick of the week
and sand and shingle at her feet
The men said she wouldn't have suffered
It was a very very huge wave
Not to try and blame herself
She would have to be strong and incredibly brave
No one seemed to see it happen
The cruel sea snapped her up in a flash
All anyone remembers is a pretty
little girl in a spotty sundress.
The waves continue to tumble
sand and shingle continues to crash
We can wish all that we want to
but alas she will not be the last.

Do you see what I see?

Do you ever wonder
if you see the colours that I see
Do you perceive greens, browns and yellows
exactly the same as me?

Can you hear the sounds I hear
Are they faint, low and afar
Or high, loud and screechy
I wonder how they are?

Does your nose sniff up
The same scents that I smell
Does a rose seem heady and fragrant
Or is that your idea of hell?

Are your fingers feeling
The fine laughter lines on a face
Or do you think they feel like
an old worn leather suitcase?

Some moist mouths love the taste
of Marmite on the tongue
Others think they might as well
be chewing old cow dung!

The Journey

Arise, shower, breakfast by eight
Snap door locks and shut the gate
"I know, I know, I'm running late"
"Oh hurry up for goodness sake!"

Car loaded, all squeezed in
Water, food, alas no gin
Lashing rain its all such a pain
CDs and music to keep us sane

Grey tarmac, stern faces
Traffic cops in parking places
Speed cameras, road works
Sunday drivers and Merc Berks

Pit stop for a quick pee
This time, not just for me
150 miles, my minds a whirl
All because of a baby girl