Who was this man

who throughout my childhood

arrived in time for lunch

from time to time?

It was a silent lunch -

my Mother hardly spoke.

The man spoke to me -

he always came with presents

usually not suitable for my age -

usually.

After lunch he left.

Mother would sigh and say

"That's that".

Then I reached thirteen.

He never came again.

Mother never seemed to notice,

but I felt sad, and never knew why.