Moments

by deb y felio

                 

Be gentle, be kind, they leave very soon;

the days may be long, but short are the years,

presence is precious in late afternoon.

The journey requires a house over strewn

with toys and laughter and tantruming tears

Be gentle, be kind, they leave very soon.

The setting sun, the rising of the moon

require the comfort and assuaging the fears.

Presence is precious in late afternoon.

They become daring for risks opportune

ignoring you, seeking friends’ loudest cheers.

Be gentle, be kind, they leave very soon

Celebrating graduations in June, 

insistence on independence one hears.

Presence is precious in late afternoon

The years are passing, a familiar tune

yet something has changed in the tone, my dears,

the voices are theirs in late afternoon,

Be gentle, be kind, they leave very soon.