What's a Mystery?
Toddler words of wisdom
First off: a Welcome to my new subscribers.
Last month I mentioned that the title of my Substack is taken from W B Yeats’ somewhat dark poem The Second Coming. But just now, where I live, we are in high summer and so this month I put away dark musings on the wokeification of the Western world to share with you a happy little poem by yours truly. (I originally wrote it as a song but don’t ask me to sing it on Substack!)
It is a poem I wrote when my daughters were small and was inspired by the wonderful questions that toddlers ask when they first try to make sense of the things they hear grown up’s talking about. I was delighted recently when my poem found its way (long story) into a children’s textbook in India.
Why do key holes have no keys Why do fairies have no tales Can I dial the numbers please Which is best, boys or girls What’s a mystery? If I had another Mum Would I be another child If I had another Dad Where would my old daddy be What’s a mystery? Where do grown-ups put the child That they say that they used to be Where did my Mummy find my Dad In the old days was I really Just a little seed When you die does it make you sad What’s a mystery? How many miles is far away Why does daddy stop at lights Doesn’t daddy know the way What is left and is it right What’s a mystery? When we get to holidays Will I be asleep Is Blackpool in London or Japan Is that baby lamb out there The same as we had for tea Why is everybody getting mad What’s a mystery? Why do grannies dress in lace Why must children go to bed Am I in the human race Is my mind in my head What’s a mystery? Must you still do as you are told Even if you cry Why is everybody getting mad If you pray to Heaven can you do just what you like Does He love you even if you’re bad What’s a mystery?
Hope you enjoyed this bit of summer sun. Next month I’ll no doubt get back to my usual theme of ‘things fall[ing] apart [that] the centre cannot hold’ but meanwhile: if you enjoyed this little poem, perhaps share it with your friends and loved ones?
Lovely!