Mum’s the word…

For all those who can relate to the busyness and pandemonium of daily family life…

If I ever had five minutes to myself,

I’d get a book down from the shelf,

Curl up in the comfy chair

To enjoy the peace and quiet there.

 

I’d do my best to just ignore

Toys and games scattered across the floor,

Or the cobwebs dangling from the light

And the dirty dishes from last night.

 

I’d fight the urge to load the washing machine,

Then give the stove a perfunctory clean,

To fold and iron the clean laundry pile

Which has been mounting up for quite a while.

 

I’d remind myself I’ll go insane

Fixating on the grubby windowpane

And I’d warn myself that I simply must"

Not trail my fingertips through the dust.

 

I’ll keep a calm, composed demeanour,

Resisting the tug of the vacuum cleaner -

Because maybe if I ran it around the place

The house wouldn’t look quite such a disgrace?

 

To the sticky surfaces I’d turn a blind eye,

And that dodgy smell, which would seem to imply

That something, somewhere in the back of a cupboard

Highly likely in mould is now covered…

 

I’d disregard with gargantuan intent,

Cards and gifts which should have already been sent.

And school supplies which I ought to restock

Because they need glue and scissors around the clock…

 

I’d caution myself that I’m still a beginner,

At preparing a healthy, balanced dinner

And that sometimes meals go unplanned

Plucked from the remaining vestiges at hand.

 

I’d forget to berate myself that I don’t succeed

At tidying up at lightning speed,

Nor keeping my calm, nor staying unstressed,

When faced with an eight-year-old who just won’t get dressed.

 

I’d admonish myself that for my peace of mind

I must make more effort to relax and unwind,

To not grab some down time would be a mistake…

But "oh shucks" I must make that Birthday cake!

 

So I quietly replace the unopened tome,

Glancing around my disorderly home

And remember I am now a mother, a wife,

And reading books was in my past life.

 

But on the plus side I have giggles and smiles galore,

And tickles and snuggles and cuddles and more.

So I’ll try not to let the clutter and mess

Become a reason for concern and distress.

 

And instead of becoming a source of displeasure,

I’ll allow myself these short years to treasure

For soon the chaos and hubbub will abate

And I will have fewer things on my plate.

 

And who knows, in the future; maybe one day,

I’ll miss the turmoil and disarray?

As I’m reading my book, quiet in my chair

I’ll wish that my brood were once again there…

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

A clever write, with much truth in it. Make the most of what you have now, the time goes so quickly and before you know it you'll be suffering from empty nest syndrome. Then you will have plenty of time to read before grandchildren arrive and you find you are back to square one. A talented pen you have.

Chris