Kindergarten Poem

That day has come.  The day when I close the chapter of a little one's time with me. 

Little Pink Backpack

This morning I watched

The back of your little pink backpack

As you marched with golden

Curls into a fall

School.

I think when I hugged you

Goodbye,

A string from my heart

Must’ve

Attached itself to that

Little backpack,

Because with each

Step

I feel it stretch

As if it might burst.

Yet I realize

This means

You’re not looking back.

You’re happy,

Progressing,

Moving forward

To meet your life without regret or remorse.

I hope I’ve done right.

From that first moment

When they placed you in my arms,

Your tiny baby cry

Made me cry too.

I loved you,

Watched you grow,

Smile for the first time,

Take first tentative steps,

Smear baby food on

Your head,

Dance,

Look for bugs,

Read books,

Welcome little siblings with
love.

Now maybe you’ve packed up

Those memories,

With my love,

Into your tiny backpack,

Ready to see what

New

Adventure

Awaits.

The strings are still attached

To my heart,

You’ll never know.

But I’ll be watching my baby,

And loving you,

And remembering

Our time together,

As my little girl

Marches toward Womanhood

On this sunny autumn morning.

   (with Grandpa)

 

Speaking of something sentimental that reminds me of my own childhood, I heard a story on NPR about John Boswell's PBS remixes.  Some are funny and quirky and inspiring.  This one with Mr. Rogers brought backs some serious memories and made me cry.  :)