Their little hands reached out and touched the sensitive screen,
no longer ably remembering the last time that they had been
on that squishy sofa. or sat on her knee, all warm and snuggled
while adults struggled with sleepy eyes, after a hilarious time
running and laughing, hugging, catching until the loud chime
of the clock tells its tale of supper and bubbles in baths, and
eye closing, feeling cosy drifting to cherished dreams in a land
where Grannies and Grandads, cousins and friends are near,
right by them and they reach out small hands and they’re there.
—————————
that is far off ,
and away beyond the harsh realities of Covid
where Grannies and Grandads are no longer strangers that
exist inside a screen but are real people who laugh and hug,
where there is a warm welcoming home to rush into, arms
held out, long loving cuddles, and snacks, and adventures
and not the nightmare of isolation from friends, and the loss
of a childhood, where children make chums and champions.
