Tell Me Now, by Grace Clifton

Chocolate Ice Cream Cone, by Grace Clifton

14 little images looking to me.
For meals & baths and vitamin D.
For clean pajamas and matching socks,
And kisses to heal the day's hard knocks.

There were bedtime stories, trips to the zoo
Measles and mumps and Asian flu.
Diapers to change, to wash and to fold,
And always somebody down with a cold.

If ever I had just a moment to spare,
There were ears to replace on a teddy bear,
A let to glue back on a porcelain cat,
Or a ribbon to sew on a baby doll's hat.

Never an end to the noise and the clutter,
The please for jelly and peanut butter.
The "Mommy, come quick and bring me a jar
And tell me what kind of spider this are"

I loved them all dearly, but longed for the day
I'd shine up the house and keep it that way.
Oh glorious years when I wold be free,
The things I would do, and places I'd see.

But now that the children are married & flown,
Our house is a house but not really a home,
And Dad's passed away and I'm all alone,
Just me and my memories and the nice telephone.

Signed: Grace H.