When you were small we used to go
to the stream near Nannies place
and on the way we\'d pick up twigs
to use in our \'Pooh Sticks\' race.
Standing on the up stream side
of the bridge we\'d watch the flow
carefully noting the currents beneath
we let our race sticks go.
Swirling and twisting they rush along
caught in the flow of it\'s gurgling song
round stones and pebbles \'cross mud and sand
we leaned o\'er the parapet hand in hand.
Here come the sticks now neck and neck
let\'s see which one is fast
yours charges on and takes the lead
mine hits the bank and comes last.
Magical moments I fondly recall
as my old age now comes on
how lucky I feel to have had those times
it\'s a pity that they are now gone.
But wait - you have a baby now
you can show her a Pooh Sticks race
and relive the joy we shared
in the stream near Nannies place.
*with thanks to AA Milne