Whenever Father
Set about papering
The Front-Room,
I was press-ganged
As his 'apprentice'.

Very deliberately,
The paste was brushed
To the margins;
Allowing for the removal
Of lumpy bits
And, above all,
Keeping the edges
Uncrumpled
And linear dry.

I watched
And listened
But, more so,
To the tempting smack
Of football
Against factory-gate
Outside.

Now,
As I iron items
On a sunny morning;
A C.D. of BBC's classics
Is intended                                    
To motivate me .
But
It is the shrill, arresting
Whistle
Of a boastful blackbird
On a fence
Which steals
My focus
And fancy.  


© by Gerard Coughlan.
Used here with the author’s permission.