Focus

I sent him downstairs
To bring me up the laundry basket
He said he knew right where it was.
It was not hidden
or full.

That was twenty minutes ago.
Now I hear drumming.

The Rules of the Game

Daddy?

I am on all fours
In the grass
Pulling out weeds.
No one likes this.

You are not Daddy anymore you are Papa, okay?

It seems as though
Over the winter
Someone came and sprinkled
Dandelion seeds all over my lawn.

And Sissy isn't sissy anymore, she is Memaw, okay?

They are some kind of
New mutant Dandelion
That is bigger and has a gnarled head
With twice the leaves.

And a bad guy and a bad lady came and stole my mommy and daddy, okay?

These roots
Are bigger around than carrots
And are at least six inches deep.

And tied them up and put them in a house, okay?

I should just spray this whole thing.
Keep all the kids off the lawn for a week,
So they don't get poisoned.

And my name is Lola and I am a princess, okay?  Daddy?

Yes, sweetie?

No, my name is not sweetie.  My name is Lola and I am a princess.

Okay.

Spring Cleaning

The twins are not identical.

One diligently and cheerfully helps
Her daddy pick up dry leaves from
Around the budding bushes and trees
And carefully place them
Into the yard waste bin.

The other climbs the leafless tree,
sings "Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer"
And intermittently but enthusiastically
Cheers her sister on, a safe distance from
The cleaning efforts.

Both of them are essential to the task.

A Simple Morning Request

Mom and I
Have taught you many things
To use a potty
To put beads on strings

To draw a face
To put on pants
To eat with a spoon
To chicken dance

All of these tricks
With plenty of time to burn
There is just one more skill
I would like you to learn

Could you please bring Daddy a cup of coffee?