I am related to Jemima Puddleduck,
I’m sure of it.
She and Mrs. Tiggywinkle
Feel like family.
They swaddled me
In my high chair
As I ate, aproned
In Beatrix Potter’s
Lovely woodland creatures,
Each pencil stroke
A labour of pure love,
Each perfect re-creation
Dancing down the years
To eat with me,
Tom Kitten, Peter Rabbit,
Jeremy Fisher,
I saw them
Not as printed woven cotton
But living, breathing, real!
I see them now.
The apron is long faded,
Gone to dust,
But oh, the memories.
How aptly named,
This Beatrix!
Across the years
Her animals
Still warm the heart
Like family.
