Our Children

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A big tornado came, my daughter lived through something rare

A storm was rumbling, slashing rain, and winds were in the air

"Seek shelter right away!" blared an unexpected call

She grabbed the baby, ran downstairs, and huddled near a wall

Trees snapped, the chimney wailed, the whole house creaked and popped

The wind surged ferociously, then suddenly it stopped

Snapping, shrieking, popping, creaking, all the sounds were gone

Leaves stuck to the walls and windows,  branches on the lawn

She stepped outside, the sun was out, but strangely, all around

There was no noise, no wind, and neither bird nor insect sound

And littering the forest, by the dozens, lying downed

Trees snapped, or plucked up by the roots, scattered on the ground

So sudden, how does nature pick the path the storm will take?

And which trees will survive the winds, and which will fall or break?

If every tree had fallen, though, I know that I would say

How thrilled I was that both those girls survived the storm that day!

I know that some folks spend a lifetime looking for a thrill

Thinking that it's found within a windstorm, if you will

But me? I'm thrilled my daughter lived to see another day

And kept her daughter safe, while the tornado passed their way!

Testosterone and estrogen

It's time to count them up again

Books and dolls and trucks and noise

Happy little girls and boys!

Chromosomes, X and Y

Set the stage, I don't know why 

Such tiny things have such a say

In how these children run and play

Several hundred million years

Of nature's plans have brought us here

Genes select our children's size

Weight, and height, and hair and eyes

We receive a different role

To shape and smooth each tiny soul

From the baby that arrives

Growing future children's lives

So much more than pink and blue

(and choice of pants or dresses, too)

This ancient social gender stuff

Amounts to so much useless fluff

XX was ours, with no XY

Four little girls, with not one guy

They grew up, and they met men

The gender mix began again

Estrogen, testosterone

Though some of this seems set in stone

This old man is glad to say

That much of it arrives as clay

X, a girl? Let's not ignore

That there are other genes galore

Y, a boy? Theres so much more

So many wondrous gifts in store...

Thanksgiving brings to mind a favorite scene

Daughters, with a row of wine-filled bottles in between

Another daughter, with a glass of wine aglow

Her tiny, lovely daughter just below

Is it wine, or happiness, I love?

Little one below, or mom above?

Eyes of caring love, or eyes of mirth?

Gift of sisterhood, or gift of birth?

I love it all, a warm November day

Inside, keeping autumn chill at bay

What a lovely place to raise a child

Safe, but with the slightest trace of wild

That's the way that life has seemed to me

Best served - a feast of pleasures all can see

And share, a give-and-take this time of year

Conversation, laughing, making cheer

My lovely, little family, may I be so bold

To promise you that I will always try to do my part

To keep the warmth within our love, that it might not grow cold

My lovely, little family, let me open up my heart!

My tender, little family, may you long draw strength from me

My arms, my mind, my prayers, but laughter not the least of all

I hope that kind of wealth can be my family legacy

My tender, little family, let me lift you when you fall

My growing, little family, as the years ahead unfold

I celebrate the way you hold your children close to you

I'll watch their years grow too, like yours, as I am growing old

My growing, little family, there's not one thing I'd rather do!

What pretty, pretty girls you are,

I miss you every day...

And though you're nearer than you're far

I still wish sometimes, on a star

To see you, every day!

You're nice, nice girls, each one

You're precious to my heart...

You're kind and smiley, tons of fun

(I never wished I had a son)

You're precious to my heart!

Such smart, smart girls, so smart

I love to talk with you...

You all own gifts of music, art,

Writing, science, math, to start...

I love to talk to you!

Loyal, loyal girls, so true

To all your family...

What love I see, in what you do,

A wondrous, faithful part of you

Expressed, to all your family!

Nothing, nothing more I need

I feel fulfilled by you...

These years have left me full indeed

Know from these words, as you read,

I feel fulfilled by you!

Building families by the sea, made of rocks stacked tall

Facing out to watch the waves roll in and splash their feet

Rising tide and slipping sand, one by one, to fall

Whose would last the longest? A family beach-game treat!

Another summer, sea stars placed on suntanned cheeks and nose

Along a sandbar, girls together, sharing evening fun

Leaning in, smiling, with a carefree, funny pose

Acadia frolic on the beach beneath the setting sun

Wherever there was water found, finding time to play

Even in the streets at home, just after heavy rain

Swimsuits, running, splashing, holding hands one summer day

Making one big laughing, shouting, human daisy chain

Now it's just the two of us that travel to the sea

We still pick up rocks, and study creatures that we find

And look at family pictures of the way things used to be

Thankful for the family fun those pictures bring to mind

The only tree I've ever seen

That wraps around, to hold between, 

Its arms, two lovers, hugged by bark

Arranged in perfect woodland arc

It grew beside a quiet pond

Acting like a magic wand

To join the couple standing there

A ring of love for them to share