For Nic

Another day has come and gone,

The house is quiet once more.

Morning sun reveals the smudges

Sticky hands left on the door.

Pots and pans are rearranged

Dragged from beneath a chair;

A disassembled five piece band

With wooden spoon still lying there.

Water streaks on cabinet doors

And scuff marks on the floor,

Prove a grandson helped his Granny

Do the dishes and the chores.

Even cat and dog seem lost,

No one to throw a stick

Or scream when chased around the yard

And given cold wet licks.

"Let's walk just once more in the woods"

Still ringing in my ear, and

"It's not raining very hard

And we might see the 'nuther deer!"

One more time I've read the book

he didn't even hear,

and once more tied the tennis shoes

he didn't want to wear.

Ten times ten I know I answered

all his endless "Whys?"

and one more time I cried

as little hands waved me goodbye.