Time With My Kids

The air smells good here

Better than I’ve ever known

I stop a little while longer 

And let the sweet smell linger stronger

 

All the eyes that look my way

As if they call to me to say,

“Here I am, Papa.”

 

I love the sound of little words,

In here they only come in thirds.

I love the way they make the noise

Even when there are no toys.

 

I love their little fingertips

And all the messy bathroom trips.

I see the writing on the wall

And find it hard to see it fall.

 

I love the Panda and how she talks.

And the Owl and how she walks.

I love the Whale with his sad eyes.

And the Lion’s dapper guise.

I love the Monkey and her cheese.

And Elliot the Dragon’s sneeze.

 

I love the sleep I do not get.

But cherish more the moments when

I get to hold them close.

 

I stop a little while more

And revel in the dirty floor

The never-ending laundry pile

The leaving home that takes a while.

 

I breathe right in the chaos days

Wishing they would only stay.

I’m quite aware of how time flies

And, soon I’ll have to say goodbye.

 

I just wish that time stood still

And sat upon my windowsill

Where always I could take it down and

Spend it with my kids.

 

Written by J. Philip Harris