Waking Children

Eyes dancing with delight

Huge smile

Happy gurgle

Delightful mornings with a baby

Confused eyes, unfocused gaze,

Shaky movements

Confused mutterings

Toddler wakeups a preview of things to come

Stubborn stares, beginnings of defiance

Determined to dress himself

Even if it made him late

Chaotic mornings with a kindergartener

Suddenly, a reprieve

Waking up bright, early, cheerful,

Excited to go

Elementary school mornings a temporary truce

Limp, boneless, slack jawed, unresponsive

Then a flurry of activity

Blaming you for his missing shoes

Welcome to hell with a middle schooler

Getting up and ready on his own one morning

The next he goes back to sleep and is late

Blasting “Ride of the Valkyries” to unbed him

Teenaged mornings always a tumult

Why doesn’t

He realize

Mornings are just as hard

For me

#PoemaDay