Burning Bibs

Burning Bibs.

That moment went fascination and opportunity collide,
The wonderment of innocence and a terrible price extracted on a child,
Copy cat,
flickering flames,
melted plastic and pain.

Mother, sister,
baby boy and burning bibs,
Leaving marks to be carried for life,
Permanent testament to inquisitive toddlers,
And unimaginable hurt inside and out.

Taking your eyes off them for a second,
Taking skin off to repair it,
Years in sterile wards and impersonal theatre’s,
And decades of love and care.

A man of three chins and eloquence,
A father with strength,
hope and unfathomable grief,
Parents and partners, husband and wife,
Rock and the water, together for life.