Little Children

LITTLE CHILDREN

Oh! What a joy
little children are

Juice in the video,
sick in the car.
Untidy bedroom,
scattered toys,
girls playing nurses
with little boys.
Dogs' tails being pulled,
a cat's on fire,
interrupting the moments
of love and desire.
Passing the blame
for their little crimes,
playing with frogs
all covered in slime.
Screaming their heads off
in a plush restaurant,
having a tantrum
when refused what they want.
Arriving home late
covered in mud,
not going to bed
when they know they should.
Non-stop talking
while dad's watching telly,
splashing the walls
with ice-cream and jelly.
Chocolate stains
on their Sunday best,
painting funny pictures
on granddad's vest.

Why do parents' voices
echo from afar
Oh! what a joy
little children are?