My children, when you read my rhymes
Think of all the good family times
For as I write this poem I hear once more
Your little feet across the floor.
Sweet little voices still echo in my mind
Calling Daddy, Mommy from once upon a time
I can still feel the hugs and kisses too
And see your trust, your innocence in little eyes so true.
I often recall when I made you laugh and giggle
And tickled your tummy and watched you wiggle
Or held you in my arms and squeezed you tight
And you would squeeze me back with all your might.
I still remember the expressions of hate
When you saw the veggies on your plate
And though you thought I didn’t know
When I left the kitchen, in the trash they would go.
You were all such really good kids
I rarely had to spank but a few times I did
Knowing when I came home, I’d use my belt
You padded your britches, and I hid the pain my heart felt.
I remember too, how excited you would get
Every Christmas at the thought of St. Nick
Your brother and I would search the woods for just the right tree
Then cut it down and bring it home to our little family
We would all decorate our Christmas Tree
I would do the lights, you would do the rest with Mommy
We would make paper chains and popcorn strings
I cherish the joy, the peace, Christmas memories bring.
Do you remember the Squaw Pass and South Park trips?
Our picnics of hamburgers or hot dogs and chips
We would climb the mountains and look for pretty rocks
Chase the chipmunks, see the view from mountain tops.
The years have flown and now you are grown
Married, with children of your own
But, I will always return to yesteryear
To the sounds I love to hear
The giggles at bedtime just once more
And the sounds of your little feet across the floor.
C. S. Craig — December 29, 1997, revised April 17, 2014