T-ball

Up he stepped with manlike stride-

Shoulders back,

Eyes filled with pride.

He hardly noticed me at all..

My grandson came to play T-ball.

He gripped the bat,

His knuckles white,

Then waited for his cue to strike.

That ball flew clear to outer space

And MY grandson got on first base.

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.

Newborn

I feel some little loving arms

holding on so tight.

I feel a racing heartbeat

with just a touch of fright.

I feel some warm and tender love;

I think I'll peek to see.

Yes, I was right:

I see my sister peeking back at me.

And now this strange rough feeling,

strong hands and bony knee,

And eyes so full of manly pride

fixed quietly on me.

I start to cry, he wipes my tears

and looks a little sad.

From all the things I hear them say,

I guess this must be Dad.

What's this! A look I've never seen,

nor can I quite describe;

The feelings that connected us

...waiting there inside.

She sang and talked and laughed

with me,

And loved me as no other.

No one will have to tell me,

I have finally met my mother.