Roger McGough’s The Collected Poems
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McGough is a true original and more than one generation would be much the poorer without him
The Times
Contact
Readings & performances and children’s publishing
Philippa Perry
07774 264 826
1 Westfield House, 80 Westgate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 3HP
Literary agent/permission requests
Charles Walker, United Agents
020 3214 0874
Photo Credit: Giacomo Gianenelli
A new series of Poetry Please out now on BBC Radio 4. Listen to all the episodes here.
'His poetry is like a supermodel who can complete a Sudoku puzzle moments before swishing down the catwalk --- easy on the eye and smart as a whip.' Lorne Jackson, Birmingham Daily Post
PAY-BACK TIME
O Lord, let me be a burden on my children
For long they've been a burden upon me. May they fetch and carry, clean and scrub
And do so cheerfully.
Let them take it in turns at putting me up
Nice sunny rooms at the top of the stairs
With a walk-in bath and lift installed
At great expense.....Theirs.
Insurance against the body-blows of time
Isn't that what having children's all about?
To bring them up knowing that they owe you
And can't contract out?
What is money for but to spend on their schooling?
Designer clothes, mindless hobbies, usual stuff.
Then as soon as they're earning, off they go
Well, enough's enough.
It's been a blessing watching them develop
The parental pride we felt as each one grew.
But Lord, let me be a burden on my children
And on my children's children too.
© Roger McGough Selected Poems Penguin
Readings & performances and children’s publishing
Philippa Perry
07774 264 826
pnlp@dircon.co.uk 1 Westfield House, 80 Westgate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 3HP
Literary agent/permission requests
Charles Walker, United Agents
020 3214 0874