Dinosaurs on the stairs

Dinosaurs on the stairs

Alkaline batteries

Close to extinction

With barely a whimper

As you pass by

Going up

They wind down

Colored pencils

Mark the wall

With rainbows

There is treasure here

Perhaps there will be time

For a glass of wine

Before weariness

Steals what is left

Of the day away

A lullaby morphs

Into a nursery rhyme

One more page

Please just one more page

Is she asleep

Were you

At this age

Is she hitting every stage

Are her milestones

Heavy millstones

Around your neck

What the heck

Is wrong with you

When chewing gum

On a carpet

Dragged in on a shoe

Is enough

To bring on the tears

Exacerbate the fears

You are not good enough

Not made of sterner stuff

Until a smile

Lights up her face

Happy in sleep

As you retreat

Lifting your feet over lego

Fighting robots

And soft toys

Good for girls

As well as boys

You smile

Perhaps it is all worthwhile

You do your best

Perhaps it is time

For some good food

Wine and well-earned rest