He knows he can fly

If he wants, when he wants

He’s safe for a while

This frightened child

But he knows he can fly

If he wants, when he wants

He hears the faint sound

Of a car turning round

He knows in his heart

It is time to depart

He knows he can fly

If he wants, when he wants

Deeper he goes, inside his young mind

Creating a world of a different kind

Conjuring images of this time last year

His Dad was better when his Mum was here

She left them, though not of her choosing

The awful shock and pain of losing

But he knows he can fly If he wants, when he wants

Too late now, steps on the stairs

Too late for help, too late for prayers

He’s never been cheeky, naughty or bold

Obedient, doing what he was told

The bedroom door opens, the child knows his fate

He can do nothing, just sit there and wait

For the first slap, the first kick

The cruel hit from the jagged stick

But he knows he can fly

If he wants, when he wants

The blows rain down, one after the other

Then as if in a dream he sees his Mother

Standing before him, she held out her hand

And he listened to her sweet command

You know you can fly

If you want, when you want

Raise up your arms Pete and touch the sky

And he did and he could, he really could fly

He closed his sweet eyes and gently sighed

Lay down his head and softly died.