Growing up

It must be, oooh,
a month or more
since they last complained
about the way I eat

or crisps I drop
on the kitchen floor

or not washing my feet

or the TV left on
when I go out

or the spoon clunking
against my teeth

or how loudly I shout

or my unmade bed,

mud on the stair,

soap left to drown
or the state of my hair ...

It must be
a month or more.
Have they given up
in despair?

For years
they've nagged me
to grow up,
to act my age.

Can it be
that it's happened,
that I'm ready
to step out of my cage?

(Wes Magee)