My Skype Mother ……… Poem by Geoffrey Fafard

(with so many apologies to her)

So there you are and here I am
An ageing friend and an strange old man
We are chatting on screen.. an eerie thing
I count your freckles and polish your ring
You are baking cookies.. just your style
We chat on life and I trace your smile
Then it happens the strangest lap thing
Its off to the kitchen.. What the hells happening
I am being carried along the corridor of life
In your arms and in the midst of this strife
The cookies are ready oh my can't you tell
I am back in my mums arms and i am beginning to yell
Where are you taking me, have I no say
My God, girl Ive never seen you this way
This is too near I am beginning to panic
All this close up cuddles..its all too manic
Its fine for you carrying your laptop
But for me..right there in your lap soft
I am straight back to a toddler a baby you see
Just a giant girl and poor baby me
Sudden insecurity and screams near your tummy
And I am yearning for a long forgotten dummy
Shaking and frightened and yelling a lot
Please if you would, put me back in my cot
But the cookies were right not at all burnt
And returned to the desk I was a lesson learnt
For her, poor thing and what did she call me
A demented lunatic.. what just poor me
Next time she skypes she promised that
I could stay put like her porcelain cat.