for Sam Mendes

He says he can come to my session –
They’re letting him out for the day
On condition he’s there for the lesson
And doesn’t decide not to play …
He’s never before been to listen
It’s always the other way round
I’m Audience Val to My Hero
Eyes open, mouth shut. Not a sound

Do I make when he’s usually with me
I potter and pour out the tea
I say Yes or No when I’m asked to
I pretend to be dull little me
So now when he’s perfectly silent
I can spark like a star in the sky
I shall spin like the Moon in her orbit
I may sing, I may dance, I may fly

I shall twang on his heart strings and shimmer
I’ll impress, I’ll remember, I’ll shine
I shall quote from the Bible. His dinner
Can wait on the table. He’s mine!
He’s my only, my boy and I made him
So when I spell out I was there
He’ll remember that marvellous moment
And I’ll show him how much I can care

For my School and the days of my childhood
The Latin, the tennis, the fun
When we danced and we sang and we frolicked –
We hardly remembered the gun
That was pointed right at us by Hitler
The threats that hung over our air
So roll on the day of my session
I’ll show you your Mother’s Day ware

And in future we’ll walk by the river
We’ll talk by the side of the lake
We can celebrate winter and Christmas
We’ll watch those four Beatles and take
Time to polish the time we’re together
And find in the shape of our bond
That mother and son can be loving
So now! Let me magic my wand.

For the light of my life, with love
6 June 2026