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?