The joy of child care

POSTED IN contemporary poetry June 5, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The joy of child care

You rush at me this morn with open arms.
I gladly scoop you up and hold you close.
A heady mix of soap and fragrant talc;
A hint of milk and jam and buttered toast.

Your lips begin to tremble; Mum departs. 
Another friend arrives, I crouch down low.
Transform into a tiger’s snarling jaws.
I watch your face; a smile begins to grow.

You stumble on the mat upon the floor.
Tears spill quickly from your full moon eyes.
Such trifling troubles yet for one so brave;
A magic kiss brings sunny cloudless skies.

You look upon the world with simple joy.
There’s no pretence; nothing you must hide.
Another day of freedom to explore;
To seek, to find, to know, to be a child.

 

Amanda Edwards