Mya, aged five
Took her homework assignment
Very seriously
As we sat together in the kitchen
Eating toast
While she interviewed me
About my job
‘What do you do?’ the question
So do I tell her I used to be
A graphic designer,
But since we moved here
There wasn’t enough work
Or do I tell her i used to ne
An acupuncturist
But the recession meant
That i had to find another avenue
To put bread on the table
That pride can’t be eaten
Just swallowed
And that it tastes bitter
And that they taste bitter
‘I colour in houses’ I said
And it was the most true description
Of what I do
‘That’s the coolest thing in the world she beamed’
And it was, and it is
Because she made it so.