Happy family
When I was 51 I had an affair with dancer
She didn`t want the baby and gave it to me.
Can you imagine? The village women rallied around
Thought be how to change nappies.
I also had taking in a dog no one wanted because it was
aggressive, not a bit of it she had purpose in life
protecting me and the baby.
Years passed and when she was six she began school
I drove her there but had to sit outside so she could
see me, later that day we drove into town to buy
suitable clothes what I picked out she didn`t like
so I left her to it.
I heard a scream; she was in a panic I was not there
picked her up she clung to me and said: daddy never
leave me. We were a happy little family the doom-struck
her mother came back and claimed the child there
was little could do, so dog went behind the sofa sulking
I sat on the sofa drinking wine.
Life goes on the dog and I went for walks that got shorter
and shorter as she was quite elderly had a white snout
and sagging stomach and was grumpy in the morning.
One day I went into town when coming back she had died.
I borrowed a spade to dig a hole but had no strength
Bu I saw two big sandstones leaning toward each other
Forming a grotto I put her in there.
As I said year's passes when I was 71 I needed surgery
Think it is called a bypass, sitting there with tube in my stomach
There was a knock on the door and in came my daughter
Cried as I have never cried before, she was studying
to become a doctor. When I was feeling better I wanted
to take the bus home. She would hear nothing of it
And arranged for an ambulance, she was in charge
a right bossy little madam,of course, she had a job in Faro
but she visited me every other day, telling me what to do.
Then she got a posting in Cascais and with my new wife, we moved there. Her mother had said she was not
my real daughter like I should care she is mine
nothing can separate us, but I wish she hadn`t been so bossy.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Interesting story, Oskar. I like the way you temper the sentimentality with wry humor.