Friday, November 28, 2008

Dandelions



Kids

When I look at a patch of dandelions,
I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard.
My kids see flowers for Mom and
blowing white fluff you can wish on.

When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me,
I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away.
My kids see someone smiling at them and
they smile back.

When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune
and don't have much rhythm so I sit self consciously and listen.
My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words.
If they don't know them, they make up their own.

When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it.
I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk.
My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it,
until they fall to the ground laughing.

When I pray I say thee and thou and grant me this,
give me that. My kids say, "Hi God!!! Thanks for my
toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away
tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet. I
would miss my Mommy and Daddy."

When I see a mud puddle I step around it.
I see muddy shoes and clothes and dirty carpets.
My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross
and worms to play with.

I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from?

Unknown








3 comments:

The Knappy Crew said...

What a beautiful poem!

jenkinsfamliypost said...

thanks for the gentle reminder to look at the world as a child.
miss you!

El Jeffe and the Girls said...

Sweet! I love it.
I remember picking dandelions for my mom and wondering why she wasn't more exciting about the flowers.
-Susanna