The art lesson

We criss-cross each cascading, numbered hall

From medieval Jesus to Magritte

With Mitchell, six, disorderly and tall

And Amy, four, distracted by her feet

“What’s that of?” asks the boy, “Is that one good?”

A chance to teach appears — I take a knee

“Now, art is what you think, not what you should

“It’s good if good is what your mind can see

“In here, the rules of outside don’t apply

“It’s not about what’s right, but how you feel”

Next room: an installation, metres high

of weather-beaten wood and crumpled steel

my daughter’s face turns stormy with concern

“IT’S POOS!” she shouts. Two tutting ladies turn.