When the Kids Come Home
There is dust on top of the TV,
there are clothes in the dryer
and the gate won’t lock.
But it will all be ok when my kids come home.
The solar heater is leaking again
and water is dripping
on the potting table.
But it will be ok when my son comes home.
My succulents need transplanting,
my geraniums need deadheading
and the dead leaves of the Naked Ladies gathered.
But it will all be ok when my girls come home.
The tile in the master bath has pulled off,
the drain basin is rusting out
and there is a bad leak in the faucet
But it will be ok when my son comes home.
I have not had a good Mexican Dinner since last time,
my tortas taste like ham sandwiches,
and my tamales look like lumps of cornmeal,
But it will be ok when my girls come home.
The patio fencing is leaning
old age has rusted the post’s bolts
and with the spring, wind may fall.
But it will all be ok when my son comes home.
Three rose bushes sprout
copper penny wild roses
from their root stock
But it will all be ok when my girls come home.
Can’t bend to trim my toenails
and they catch on my socks
which are hard enough to put on anyway.
But it will be ok when the kids come home.
There are unpaid bills
lost among the unopened mail
on my cluttered desk.
But it will be ok when the kids come home.
.
Don’t drive much anymore
so can’t see my beloved wine country
nor taste the best Zin in the foothills
But it will be ok when the kids come home.
And when the kids come home
they will play Satin Doll
cook some ribs and lift a glass
And it will be ok when the kids came home.
Doug Minnis
April 30, 2013