I guess you grew up when I wasn�t looking; there was nothing I could do.
Yet I only took my eyes off you for a moment or two.
Now I see a tall young man standing at the doorway waiting for me.
Your hair in need of a trim, patiently watching as I reach for my key.
I open the door and you bustle your way in just like you did as a little kid.
Before you grabbed the biscuit jar and ripped off its lid.
A coat here, a bag there ''take your shoes off" I would call,
As you left your things scattered all over the hall.
You walk slower now, life�s not such a rushed affair,
The worlds your oyster you don�t have a care.
You remove your shoes, its habit - no need to be told.
"Would you like a drink? " I ask, needing something to hold.
You look up and follow me quietly to the kitchen, " Coffee would be good".
Coffee? I laugh to myself; it used to be milk or Pepsi if you could!
�Coffees for the grown-ups � I grin, passing you a cup.
You stand quietly, thinking rather than speaking up.
You give me a half smile then find a chair,
Your childhood banter no longer there.
Gone are the days when you would rush in,
With a head full of words, laughing and making a din!
Eyes shining, recounting the tales of your day,
And how "Danny grazed his knee, but he was okay".
Your voice so deep, almost a man, yet still a boy inside,
No longer the trembling helpless child that I comforted when he cried.
No longer do you look at me with tear filled eyes,
Knowing I will hold you until the pain is gone.
You don�t run to the safety of my arms,
Knowing its okay even if you have done wrong.
I can see how tired you are, it must have been a long, tough day,
Your eyes start to drift, I take your coffee cup away.
The telephone rings, a girls voice asks for you.
She is the one you share with now, I won�t do.
You wander off secretively with the phone in your hand.
Those boyhood chats with me have ebbed away like grains of sand.
You are barely a teen, but you�re a young man,
You laugh as together you make a plan.
�I�ll see you later� you call as you rush towards the door.
�Don�t be too late and take care� I sigh, I know I can ask no more.
You look back at me, wave, then run, not noticing the wave I gave to you,
I guess you grew up when I wasn�t looking, there was nothing I could do.
Splash
The first one falls, It hits his nose,
He looks up in amazement, eyes aglow,
It starts to come flake upon flake,
Covering his bike and the forgotten rake.
His baby blue eyes filled with joy,
The excitment is bursting from my little boy.
He grabs a handful, throws it up in the air,
It cascades upon him, covering his hair.
His little voice is bubbling with glee,
Come on Nathan, come play with me!
His little brother follows along,
They go on an adventure singing the spiderman song.
I stand on the porch, camera in hand,
Watching my kids exploring the land.
The magic they see, the treasures to find,
Nature and child have become entwined.
Carrie