Darling Darling

Darling Darling

Do you recall your first sweet summers

Stuffed animals and soft cheeks

Matted baby wisps

Long, warm nights that used to pull you out of your slumber

I would lift you from your crib and rock you, singing singing

Darling, can you recall walks through the zoo and running in the park

Laughing, you and I, and digging in the sand

The summers were so long, love

We watched the sun get low and orange

I would help you pull on your sweater

Buttons large for tiny hands

And I would carry you home, swaying swaying

The summers sped by, love

The hours too long waiting to pick you up from camps and friends

Long days when I had to leave you for the world’s demands

Your sun-kissed faces beaming

Stories poured out of you and sometimes tears

I would take you home and make your dinner

And we watched movies together, cuddling cuddling

How short the time and so many obligations to grow up

We counted down until summer together

Slowing the days with long walks, discussing life

We had so much to say to each other

Your big imagination

You showed me the meaning of life

I watched you blossom and blow away a seedling in the wind

I stood, waving waving

The summer came when you moved away

You were like lightning in the storm

Electricity bright and gleaming, burning in my hands

The dreams we shared, you grabbed hold and I cheered

Your world opened up

But Autumn grew quiet here, love

I kiss your cheek and wish you well

And I replay all our summers in my heart

My Darling Darling