I learned
from my children
to run outside on a winter day
in my pajamas and boots
to capture
a picture of a drop of frozen water on a leaf
extended
across my icy pond
a jewel that sparkles
but only until the sun warms the air
I learned
from my children
to make brightly colored frosting
for sugar cookie adorning
to create
a spectacle of baked imagination
presented
on glass cookie trays
but only until their bellies rumble
I learned
from my children
to paint with all ten fingers
on poster board canvas
to explore
fine art with reckless abandon
revealed
in bright, rainbow colors
but only until the filled paper tears
I learned
from my children
to throw out the rule book
with paper and pen
to define
our own invented games
gratified
through echoing giggles
but only until bedtime reckons
I learned
from my children
to pause once every night
with whispers and open arms
to embrace
each with all my heart
unfolded
with loving reminders
but only until forever ends
~
Words and Photography ©2017 Tanya Cliff ~ to contact me
Posted in poetry & free verse. Bookmark the permalink.
Simply beautiful, Tanya!
Thank you so much, Jonathan! It was inspired by my run outside in my pajamas to get that picture…
something I learned from my children…just do it.
Yay! 🙂
😊
So delightful 🙂
Thank you, Jacqueline! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
This is so wonderfully written! I am truly touched :’)
Thank you for sharing that! I really appreciate it. Have a wonderful day!😊
You’re welcome! Have a great day 😊
😊
A lovely ode to parenthood. 🙂
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it.😊
You’re most welcome indeed.
Keep the good posts coming. 🙂
I will certain work hard at it! Have a great day! 😊
That’s all that can be asked!
You too! 🙂
I will! 😊
Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
Thank you! I hope you had a great weekend.
It was quiet and uneventful, which is always good. Wishing you and the kids a happy safe week ahead.
Thank you. Enjoy your week!
😎
BEAUTIFUL. BEAUTIFUL.
Thank you so much, Steven! Have a BEAUTIFUL day! 😊
We teach them…and we learn from them. Amazing piece, Tanya! Very well done.
🙂
Thank you, Steve! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m always learning from them. Have a great day!😊
Oh boy, we are always learning and growing in love with our children as we go along. Hope Wisconsin weather is good to you today, and you have a fabulous day, my friend 🙂
We started the day with hail, but beautiful weather is on its way! 😊
Have you lived back there very long?
I’ve lived back in WI since my oldest was two. We moved back to the Madison area about a year and a half ago.
I started out in Dallas, Tx. Was actually born there. But my dad hated the cold winters and when I was 2 yrs.old we moved to Ca. Been held prisoner here ever since! I’d like a place with the mild changes of the seasons, but it’s way too late to move now…
I lived in the Dallas area for three years. Summers are HOT! The weather by you is pretty ideal, Steve! I would take some of that sunshine today.
Oh there’s no doubt that Cali. weather is hard to beat for the sunshine. And there are the beaches and mountains within a couple of hours drive.
It just that it is too much sun for my taste, to say nothing of the massive population and freeway system. Also, Ca. is far too liberal for my way of life. People must think I’m crazy…Lol! But I stand by my beliefs…
🙂
Lol…well, enjoy all that sunshine for me. Today is cloudy.
Have a great day, Steve.😊
I will, my dear frozen friend! We are on “Storm Track” in the news/weather dept. here…it may rain .10 of an inch on Sunday! Temps could drop into the mid-50’s!! Wow…
(Today is in the mid-70’s with loads of sunshine…)
🙂
Lol…I would take a day in the 70’s. We should hit close to 60 by Sunday. That isn’t bad.😊
Such delightful lessons, beautiful!
Thank you so much! They have been good lessons for me.😊
Superb!!
Thank you very much! I’m thrilled that you thought so!
🙂
It kinda reminds me of that song by CSNY – ‘Teach Your CHildren’, and the second stanza/ part goes ‘teach your parents well’.
In today’s snazzy Beyonce world, these songs are often forgotten. Yet, they do teach and entertain
Thank you again! I will look up the song.😊
Beautiful, Tanya!
Thank you, Jennie! I’m so glad you thought so! Have a great evening!
You are welcome! 🙂
😊
Yours is a family treasure. Your words express the joys of parenting better than many in “real life” experience. I smile every time you mention your family knowing you have so many memories in front of you yet to create.
Thank you so much, Jonathan! I certainly learn a lot from my children. Have a wonderful week!
This is lovely. I love it!
Thank you, Karen! I’m so glad you loved it.😊
The repeated pattern and changing thoughts are an effective combo, Tanya …
Thank you, Dave! I always appreciate your feedback. Have a great week!
I LOVE THIS!!!! HOW ENDEARING
Thank you very much! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
It’s amazing how much our children can teach us when we remain open!
Beautiful post!
Agreed! Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed this.
Stunning photograph and I agree, children are wonderful teachers. 😉
They are all of that! Thank you so much. Have a lovely weekend!😊
I love this! It couldn’t be more true. why do we lose that sense of wonder as we age?
Thank you so much! I think the goal is to work at not losing it…just to keep discovering! Have a great weekend!
Beautiful!
Thank you so much, Mark!