He had been becoming older
I looked at him the same
his dark hair showed no signs of it
his beard had flecks of grey

I remember we would take refuge
under blankets
or a fort made of cushions
we'd stay up later than our mother knew

soon he would be the parent
being hidden from
when his little boy grows up
maybe he'll be a rogue, like you were

occupied in work
with the thought of coming home to be a father
it feels like we're living the future now -
he's married and so settled down

light blue sheets cover the weary mother
they catch my eye, I smile
because they match the cap and romper suit
of his new-born baby boy