Kid

Question 1

First section of Kid

Answer 1

Batman, big shot, when you gave the order

to grow up, then let me loose to wander

leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder

as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather,

in the gutter …

Question 2

Second section of Kid

Answer 2

well, I turned the corner.

Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father

to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover

on that ‘he was like an elder brother’

story, let the cat out on that caper

with the married woman, how you took her

downtown on expenses in the motor.

Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker!

Holy roll-me-over-in the-clover,

Question 3

Third section of Kid

Answer 3

I’m not playing ball boy any longer

Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder

Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number

for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper;

now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older.

Question 4

Last section of Kid

Answer 4

Batman, it makes a marvellous picture:

you without a shadow, stewing over
chicken giblets in the pressure cooker,

next to nothing in the walk-in larder,
punching the palm of your hand all winter,

you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder.