My Mammy is a wee, tiny woman
with a huge imagination!

We have all been instructed
not to kill a moth
as it might be a handsome prince
an disguise!

Neighbouring children
have been encouraged
to plant a feather in the ground
to see whether a bird would grow!

My Mammy convinced all of us
that the sun dances in the sky
at dawn on Easter Sunday
and that at midnight on Christmas Eve
donkeys, cows and sheep
are all gifted with speech.

My Mammy made thunderstorms
a time of tremendous excitement for us,
promising a wish to anyone
who spotted forked lightning.
We all rushed to the windows,
pushing each other out of the way
to get the best view.
Only in adulthood did I learn
that My Mammy herself
is terrified of lightning!

But wishes could be won
In many other ways.
… by getting a double wrapper
on a sweet or biscuit
… by visiting a shop, café or any other fun place
for the first time.

But the most important thing
that My Mammy taught us
is that this world we live in
is a world of infinite possibilities.

© Claire Murray