I’ve never had much fortune in the field of DIY

Or arts and crafts or literature; these skills have passed me by;

When other kids in class could paint a decent scene or sky

With my lack of expertise I stood apart.

I well recall the time at school made a pencil case

In woodwork, where I almost planed it down without a trace

But stopped in time to offer up a matchbox in its place;

My end of term report said “Not too smart”.

Or when  I purchased from Ikea a wardrobe or a shelf

With notes in pijin engrish for a dummy like myself

Assembled they would always pose a threat to life or health

As I stared at a spare and unused part.

Then 20 years ago a hidden talent I unfurled

When I made a working model of a new-born baby girl

With great big eyes whose tiny fingers round my own could curl

Repeated in her younger counterpart.

Every piece was perfect and I needn’t thank the stork

I taught them how to crawl, then stand and finally to walk

 I taught them how to laugh and cry, to listen and to talk –

Skills I found so easy to impart.

They grew like little flowers through childhood, then indeed,

They blossomed into womanhood, each from their single seed

A teacher and a manager with separate lives to lead

With precious little talent…

                                                …I have made these works of art.