Wiping bottoms Scrapes on knees Prompting requests to start with “please” Bedtime stories Fun and games Muddy puddles in the rain. Tantrums, meltdowns Refusing food Often cheeky; occasionally rude. One simple question; always - “why?” Learning about the earth and sky Learning about the stars and moon You know their favourite programme’s tune. Cuddles anytime day or night Bath time can be quite a fight Please leave on the bedroom light Hold those little hands so tight.
Then they don’t want to. You’re no longer cool Stronger influences online or friends at school. Wearing makeup Dressing their own style One word answers Rarely smile. Self - isolation is the way Glued to a device all day Attitude and knowing everything in spades You don’t know how things are these days. You’re just boring, sad and old There’s nothing from you they can be told. It’s clothing now - too old for toys Hard to see what brings them joy Treating the home like an hotel Bedroom’s a mess - and what’s that smell?!
And then they’re gone; An empty nest You miss the arguing, the mess. Longing for that stupid fight If just to see them for a night. They do return, and things are better They bring some washing, can you mend my sweater? Hugs and kisses, hands held once again Realising that you both are friends. A new era starts, a bond renewed And one simple fact is clearly true: Those years flash past so very quick And though often tumultuous and wild, You will always be their parent,
W Is For Duck 