Three children sit at the mahogany dinner table
Legs too short to reach the ground
The sun skips through the blinds
The fish tank hums in the corner
Rainbow gold fish swim rapidly
Mother sits tall
Construction paper and glue sticks
Dance around coloring pencils
Smiles bounce of each other
Music coos in the background as 45’s spin
School is out
But house camp has started
Mascot chosen
This year flamingos take flight
Each child draws their depiction of the pink bird
Feathers cut from tiny paper scraps
Mother, she nods in approval
Satisfaction in her response.
“Good job babies”
Arts and craft time ends,
Lessons begin-
History lessons and recess
Playground becomes a fort
Hostages near the stone circle…
Save the gi joes and barbies
Covered in brown dirt
Soiled linens crawl through the grass
Scrapes on knees and elbows dry from rough play
Siblings finding their way back to the back porch in time for lunch
Wash hands and freshen
Cant open the fridge until clean
Mother laughs as each child runs to the bathroom
On the second story
Of the home… noisy
Glass door slams as last child lingers.
Midday in Summer always changes
Though each day stamping itself
Into the hearts of Mother’s harmony
She sings a lullaby
Places the last piece of bread on top of the bologna
Light mayo, no crust…
Children rush the table again
It is here they break in prayer and devour a half days work
And play…
It is here that the teachings are given
And mother is proud of her young.
