What For? By Noel Petty
One more word said my dad,
And I’ll give you what for,
What for? I said.
That’s right, he said, what for?
No, I said, I mean what for?
What will you give me what for for?
Never you mind, he said. Wait and see.
But what is what for for? I said.
What’s what for for? He said.
It’s to teach you what’s what,
That’s what.
What’s that? I said.
Right, he said, you’re for it,
I’m going to let you have it.
Have what? I said.
Have what? He said.
What for, that’s what.
Do you want me to really give you
Something to think about?
I don’t know, I said,
I’m thinking about it.
Then he clipped me over the ear.
It was the first time he’d made sense
All day.