There is a family of 3 staying at my humble home. The father is my Dad's course mate in Milton Keanes. The family is from China. They received their Visa to go to Canada. They will be leaving soon.

They have a child of seven, called Samuel. He is a gentle and kind kid, if sometimes naive and interruptive, without knowing that he is asking for constant attention and to be entertained all the time.

He seems to have taken a childish infatuation to me. I don't know how to respond. I want to love him; I do...but I can't speak Mandarin and he can't speak English. Communication is limited. Every action weighs equally. What do I do? I don't want to expose him to the hard violence and graphic nature of digital gaming...I don't want to reveal the subtle, corrupt beauty in Japanese anime and manga...I want to bless him with Godly knowledge. Yet my lifestyle doesn't always reflect that; example is waking up at 12/1 everyday for the past week. Why? Because I sleep late. There are so many others. Patience. Creativity. Understanding...I want to help. Yet I'm not sure what to do?

I entertain him with chess, showing him the universe through high quality digital photos captured in a book Dad got me years ago (which has been neglected). He entertains me through his Dragonball Z imitations of launching decimating fireballs from his hands, razing everything around him...then coming back to the reality I am watching him through adult eyes, departed and exclusive from his fantasy world. Playing in the garden is fruitful. Freaked out by all the slugs that are manifesting from the leaves and flowers though. It makes me think...how much more does it take to be a Dad? When shall I expose my child willingly to the horrors of the world, to toughen them up? What relationship will I enforce/sustain with them?

With Samuel...how will he remember me in the future?

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“Jenga” blocks pepper the floor

As blocks of wood twirl, tumble and crash

Into a spiral fall to the carpet.

Palms thrust forward, repelling evil

With the might of super powers

And reputation of greatness.

Steely look of determination,

Whilst imagining the windows being blasted

Apart into countless shards, as enemies

Fly away.

Keyboard jangles,

Squeals in the garden,

Black and white pieces lost in strategy;

Relentless request to see digital entertainment -

Violence, action, affliction and virtual bloodshed

Or kindness, serenity, patience and understanding?

With every word, with every step

Every hug, every gaze and all our time,

How do I know to help you?

Come graduation

Welcoming marriage,

Finalising business transactions,

In isolation,

How will you remember me?

…will you remember me?