And never shy.
They’d laugh out loud
and go around shaking hands.
And at Christmas you’d smell drink
when they talked to you
or patted you on the back.

They’d ruffle your hair or wink,
or make silly noises, and their wives
would sit with hats on and knees together
while the port and sherry went round.

Sometimes uncles looked serious or sad
then they’d suddenly cheer up again
and you’d wonder what it was they’d seen.

Whatever happened to uncles? Where did they go?
Did they die out like the dinosaurs
or are they all in cryogenic suspension?
I think of this as I look for my slippers,
search for radio 4,
recognize my sister’s kids
banging at the door