Finn's Blanket - by Alice Campbell

July, slap bang in the middle of summer, born was Finn.

For his big brother, Max, the holidays were in full swing.

Clunk. The year’s lessons had fallen clean out Max’s head.

Hot days spent splashing, chasing and playing out past bed. 

Max was certain Finn was enjoying the warm nights too. 

He was surrounded by a sea of silver stars, who

winked at Max every night when to his window he went creeping-

he would know that they were, his little brother, safe-keeping.

Finn lives in the sky, you see. 

Popped right out Mam’s tummy and up he winged, all speedy. 

It made Max sad sometimes that they don’t take visitors in the sky. 

Max thought it made Mam and Dad sad too sometimes.

But Finn was needed to look after the other children who, like him, fly.

The holidays passed in a flash and school started again. 

Clunk. The memory of maths knocked summer straight out his head.

The weather turned rainy and grey and cold. 

Finn’s silvery winking friends soon became blocked 

To Max, their message this night went untold.

Then came time to tuck him in and tears Mam clocked.

‘Max what’s wrong? Please this upset cease.’

‘I can’t sleep while he can’t sleep. He’ll catch a cold and freeze!’

Then Mam did that thing where grown-ups smile and cry. 

‘Max, I promise he’s warm and cosy and dry.’

One fat salty splodge, Max’s quilt met.

‘He’s a sausage in a cloud blanket.’

Written By Alice Campbell

Alice is a 23 year old politics graduate originally from County Durham who now works in London as an intern for a literary scouting agency.

Recipes