Do You Know What Time It Is?

I hear giggles and wrestling
I hear banging and laughs
Do you know what time it is?
It’s late and you got to get to bed

There is bickering and bartering
I love you both the same
No, you can’t sit in the front seat
It’s not ok to hit your sister

I dread the begging for treats
There is something so undignified in it
Mama said no, and that’s that
But, just this once, you can have a popsicle

Look at them up there singing
So proud, not realizing they’re off key
Look at her gifted picture
She says, “Mama, I don’t color. It’s art.”

Someone hit her in the stomach
She kicked another kid and was punished
Her feelings are hurt so quickly
I know how fragile you are

They don’t live with their daddy
They cry for him at night
I rock them to sleep and sing
They are so strong and accepting

I was given the gift of watching them,
Raising them and letting them go
Do you know what time it is?
It’s the best time of my life.

9/27/1994