(Written during lockdown)

I see the white wall 
In the garden 
That I painted 
In the summer. 
I stare at it 
Each time we eat. 
In the white wall 
I see festivals
Trips in the van 
Dancing in fields 
Picnics with family 
The sky as I go running
And swims in the sea 
With the sun shining 
In the early morning.
Daydreams happen 
In that white wall 
Just for seconds 
At a time. 
In between conversations 
About Elsa, Arna and Olaf 
Or chatter about our plans 
For the day ahead, 
Who we’re going to see 
Or what we have done. 
It’s my white square 
Of white wall 
That I see as I 
Daydream
With you always 
Nearby
Chirping away.

(Written during lockdown)

I know there’s a world 
That goes on around us
But for now I am in it
With you, my 3 year old.
Absorbed, emerged, sunk in.
Deep down, under water.
The rest of life continues
And every now and then 
I come up for air.
It’s been months now
I’ve been waking up between 5 and 6am
I’ve been going to bed by 9.30pm
To make sure I get enough sleep.
Trying to read a few pages of a book
Before collapsing into a deep
Brief sleep
Which keeps me going,
Until the next night.
I’ll look back at this time
As the intense, engulfing torrent 
That was lockdown.
Working at home, living at home
Trying to be present with you
At home
Knowing that a tidal wave of work
Hides behind the laptop
And the work phone and I'm always
Within earshot of its shrill ring.
Put that out of my mind, my head
My busy head full of thoughts
Flying along 
Like lorries on a motorway
Looking for the next service station
Where they can pull in and take a break
But that break 
Is still a little bit far away.
Maybe the next week
Or week after.
Come on lockdown, ease up
Before my mind freezes up
And me and you
Merge into one.

(Written during lockdown)

I’ll be there in  a minute
Just coming
Hang on a tick
Nearly there
Wait a min
On my way
I’ll meet you over there
Two mins
Give me two seconds
I just need five mins
Ok yep just...
Two ticks
Just need to do this
Two secs
Hang on.
You’re learning the art of
Patience.
And so am I.