Something stirs me gently 
From a restless sleep that was hard coming
Then suddenly  a small form, growing bigger daily
Tumbles atop me and kisses me soundly
And I awake feeling like Prince Charming has found me

My prince is just over haft my meager height
Soft sandy blonde hair and his mama's big brown eyes
He's simply most beautiful being I've ever known
The epitome of a wondering soul finding home

We eat iced cinnamon rolls on the patio  
Where the spring's dawning fills the air with sweetness
And just breathing it makes me feel so indescribably blessed

We abandon our breakfast to build race tracks from scrap wood and bricks
And tracks become balance beams for him to walk and wow me
The backyard becomes a jungle before my eyes and we go on safari 
Time both stills and speeds, some images freeze 
A laughing smile, a small hand grasping mine

Lunch is eaten in rush, dirty fingernails and peanut butter hands 
Fingers licked clean by boy and then dog
To be plunged into dirt where he digs for pirate treasure
A pile of muddy rocks and odd bits grows beside me
Some to be saved forever
But the memories made are the true treasure

There are stressful moments
The curse word yelled at the rowdy teens walking by
Picked up from unthinking adults
Not considering his sponge of a mind 
The cajoling, then warnings, then temper tantrum
To get him back inside 

Daddy cooks a new recipe with red cabbage and Italian sausage  
A bubble bath follows that and I end up soaking wet
Then the whole family cuddles in bed with our books
Romance for mama, history for daddy and Red Truck for Big
And nothing for AJ (she's a dog) 

Mama reads "Red Truck" and Kipling's "If" aloud 
Then Daddy reads "Jokes and Their Relation To The Subconscious" 
And the prince falls asleep, wrapped in Mama's arms

Daddy looks down at mother and son
His eyes go soft and he gets the goofy look on his face
The one that he wore the first time he saw me
A cross between curiosity and desire 
Or maybe hope or need, something unspoken and powerful
That's always astounded me 

My imperfect life is beautiful in its simplicity 
And magical in so many ways 
Each day is a blessing, a triumph 

I fall asleep with Prince Charming cuddled against me
And my true loves cold feet tucked beneath my knees
And dream of tomorrow. 

for Big 4/3/15

 

 

 

by Amanda Burns

 

 

© Amanda Saylor nee Burns. All rights reserved