'Growling'

I thought I heard a growl
A throaty growl
A catch you unawares growl
And I was surprised
I'd never heard my teddy growl before.
I took him in my arms
And cuddled him
As I had seen Mother do with baby Lucy.
I rocked him back and forth.
'What's the matter, Mr Bear?"
'I heard a fighter 
In this room. 
The bombs will come.
We need to shelter under the table.'
I looked around my room.
The blackouts blocked the light
But I could just see
Dad's photo
Squadron 609
My model plane
My gas mask
But no fighter.
Still, I listened and listened.
Then I heard it
The whirring drone that would soon bombard
I laughed.
'A mosquito Mr Bear.
It's a mosquito and Mother has a swatter.
She'll take him down in the morning.'
I held him tighter
And tickled him under the chin
As Father had done with me.
'It'll be all over by Christmas, my boy'
He'd said.'
'It'll be all over by Christmas, Mr Bear.'
We snuggled down under the blankets
Hoping it was true.


Pat Treleaven
April 2017