Happy Birthday Mum, 5 Mar 2010

O great mother land

of Yorkshire puddings

toad-in-the-hole

and walnut whips

Such a history

of reigning royals

of pub and grub

of medieval torture

you are somewhat 

humble and 

a little too easy

to make fun of

with your grey days

and sleet-stricken winters

colourful and corny

seaside piers

streets have shops 

with no canopies

or awnings so 

people have to run!

Proud are you

regal and strong

always remaining

quintessentially British

O great mother land

of cockney slang

and Abbey Road

double-decker buses

Madame Tussauds

the majestic Tower

Soho and Camden

the magnificent West End

you have given me

a second heritage and

I feel connected 

to your earth

but more than that

you gave me

my London mother

who I cherish dearly

whose genes and face

whose skin and heart

whose love and humanity

are set in me

more than anything,

mother land

when I visit you I feel 

comfortable and safe

like I belong, too

like you know me better

and I think it's because

I am stepping into my mother's heart.