Dogs are howling in my face

Cats cry out their sad refrain

And the cosy warm fire chants are broken

Sold on down the street by every prevailing

Wind of fashion and far off passion

As she grows and crows that it is so unfair

And that I don’t know what it’s like

Except I do and I am tired of trying

To hold on to the silence in my head

Instead of wanting to throw it away

So, I keep it in my hands

The heavy angry complaints

All that has gone on

All that has been said and all that has not

No sign of sorry Dad when she gets it wrong

But I never say I told you so

Among the swinging naked orange bulbs

And the duvet smothered tears

And it hurts to watch her trip and fall pick herself up

And say I’m O.K. even though she is not 

But a day or so later she pretends it never

Happened even though it still stings

But eventually the dogs have calmed

And the cats have gone to sleep

And she smiles the smile that says

Don’t worry Dad I really am O.K.

And you know she is