Dads’ race

No faux reluctance from you.

You bolt to the line and squint

at the dads quick to line up

excuses – the bad backs, sprains,

can’t run in these trousers/shoes.

You’re the winner already.

Forget these losers, taking

time out from their steady jobs.

You’ve got a system, a way

to beat the bookie. Odds on

you’ll take gold here today, too.

And so you do: a cheetah

in chinos, tasselled slip-ons,

you go roaring into first.

All the rest will come second.