WATER BABY

First published in July 2022

They tell me
I was the original water baby.
The story goes that barely able to walk,
I was taken to visit a great-aunt
in Millport.

It was to be an important occasion,
a first child to be shown off
in her Sunday best, but starting off with
sandcastles and a paddle in the sea.

They say I wallowed
in the cold Scottish waters, had a tantrum
along with my 'chittery bite', as I was dried, dressed
in a frilly pink frock, ready for the visit.

My dad went off
to fetch the car, left mum to pack up
the picnic basket - And me? I toddled
back to jump up & down in the waves, all kitted out

in a pink dress with frills.