There Are Children In The House Today

There are children in the house today—
Bright of eye and swift of foot;
One begs me to come play with him,
One reads a favorite storybook.

I smile, and with a sigh decide
That housework will just have to wait,
And follow him on up the stairs
To what adventures may await.

An hour later he’s asleep,
For naptime is a sneaky foe.
I tuck him in and kiss his hair,
Then back downstairs I softly go.

I’ve scarcely started back to work
When Katherine calls for me to come.
I tell myself that later on,
I’ll finish what I haven’t done.

My dark haired daughter and a book
Are welcome friends this afternoon.
Beneath a blanket we curl up
And read a book that ends too soon.

I got so little done today,
Or so my house might now appear.
But chores will last a lifetime’s days,
While childhood’s fun lasts so few years.