The Errand By Seamus Heaney

April-fools

The Errand

By Seamus Heaney

 

‘On you go now! Run, son, like the devil

And tell your mother to try

To find me a bubble for the spirit level

And a new knot for this tie.’

But still he was glad, I know, when I stood my ground,

Putting it up to him

With a smile that trumped his smile and his fool’s errand,

Waiting for the next move in the game.