Poems

These are some poems that I like.

I'd Rather

I'd rather be a mother
Than anyone on earth
Bringing up a child or two
Oh unpretentious birth.
I'd rather nurse a rosy babe
With warm lips on my breast
Than wear a queen's medallion
Above a heart less blest.
I'd rather tuck a little child
All safe and sound in bed -
Than twine a chain of diamonds
About my foolish head.
I'd rather wash a smudgy face
With round, bright baby eyes -
Than paint the pageantry of fame,
Or walk among the wise.

Meredith Gray

HOW DO I LOVE YOU?

A LOVE POEM from PARENT TO CHILD
(BY P.K. HALLINAN)
(© 1989)

How do I love you?
Let me count the ways.
I love you on your very best...
and very worst of days.
I love to see you laughing
and dancing in the rain.
And even when you lose your shoes
I love you just the same.
I love to hear you singing.
I love to see you smile.
I love the way you take each day
in your own unhurried style.
I'm happy when you're happy,
and I'm sorry when you're sad.
And even though it may not show,
I love you when you're bad.
How do I love you?
Well, now, let me see...
I love the way you act so brave
when you fall and hurt your knee.
I love to watch you sleeping,
tuched away in dreams.
I love to hear you whisper
all your giant plans and schemes.
I love the way you wear your pants
with the front part in the back
and the way you walk around sometimes
with your head inside a sack.
I love to see you deep in thought.
I love to watch you play.
And tho I 'm sure you'll never know,
I love you more each day.
How do I love you?
It's impossible to say.
For if I had a million days
and time enough for all the praise,
I couldn't tell you all the ways...

I LOVE YOU!!!

A Child`s Ten Commandments to Parents

` 1. My hands are small; please don`t expect perfection whenever I make a bed, draw a picture or throw a ball. My legs are short; please slow down so that I can keep up with you.
2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please let me explore safely. Don`t restrict me unnecessarily.
3. Housework will always be there. I`m only little for a short time, please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world and do so willingly.
4. My feelings are tender; please be sensitive to my needs. Don`t nag me all day long. ( You wouldn`t want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness). Treat me as you would like to be treated.
5. I am a special gift from God; please treasure me, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by and disciplining me in a loving manner.
6. I need your encouragement to grow. Please go easy on the criticism; remember, you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.
7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail, so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday I`ll be prepared to make the kinds of decisions that life requires of me.
8. Please don`t do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn`t quite measure up to your expectations. I know it`s hard, but please don`t try to compare me to my brother or sister.
9. Please don`t be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids. Besides, it`s a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.
10. Please take me to Sunday School and church or synagogue regularly, or at lease explain your values and beliefs, setting a good example for me to follow.

Tiny Handprints

Tiny handprints grow so fast,
their awkward groping soon will clasp
a ball, a book, a sweetheart's hand,
a diploma, briefcase, wedding band.

Tiny handprints grow to be
a person quite unique,
a wonderful mix of so many things
with their own feelings, thoughts and dreams.

Tiny handprints grow to rely
on their parents to bring them up just right.
Parents pray that when they're grown
they will say, "What a good example you have shown."

Tiny handprints are ours to love,
the sweetest gift from God above,
a miracle that never is surpassed.
How sad they grow up way too fast.

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd finger-paint more, and point the fingers less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd teach less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.

By Diane Loomans

Childhood Doesn't Wait

I was sitting on a bench
while in a nearby mall,
When I noticed a young mother
with two children who were small.

The youngest one was whining,
"Pick me up," I heard him beg
but the mother's face grew angry
as the child clung to her leg.

"Don't hang on to me," she shouted
as she pushed his hands away,
I wish I'd had the courage
to go up to her and say...

"The time will come too quickly
when those little arms that tug,
Won't ask for you to hold them
or won't freely give a hug.

"The day will sneak up subtly
just as it did with me,
When you can't recall the last time
that your child sat on your knee.

"Like those sacred, pre-dawn feedings
when we cherished time alone
Our babies grow and leave behind
those special times we've know.

"So when your child comes to you
with a book that you can share,
Or asks that you would tuck him in
and help him say his prayer...

"When he comes to sit and chat
or would like to take a walk,
Before you answer that you can't
`cause there's no time to talk

"Remember what all parents learn
so many times too late,
That years go by too quickly
and that childhood doesn't wait.

"Take every opportunity,
if one should slip away
Reach hard to get it back again,
don't wait another day."

I watched that mother walk away
her children followed near,
I hope she'll pick them up
before her chances disappear

By Kathie Davis