July 15, 1999

outside my children

their parents give command

daddy has a sermon

mommy needs a nap

baby is alone

beside his working daddy

and children quick obey

lest the penalty befall

outside my children

in a world of no demand

save that they remain

take care of their small domain

a portion of a vastness

beyond our greatest thought

Written after we had chased Daniel and Julia

outside to play and I, while working at the

kitchen table, saw them using their water bottle

and Mommy’s garden jug to water the bird bath.