Sonnet 2 - Your Skill at Motherhood

To Betsy, Mother’s Day 2008

I gaze across East Milton’s tidy lawns

from our front porch while rocking in the sun.

The big gray cat beside me slowly yawns

while in the house I hear a small clock run;

A wedding gift that’s ticking off the traits

and talents you display which I hold dear;

the graceful way you glide backwards on skates,

or how you saved the daisies from last year 

In wreaths with patience carefully arrayed.

And when you played that piece by Chaminade

on your flute out in the woods the skill displayed

Was skill that wowed the crowd; the kids were awed. 

Those kids have turned out well; it seems to me

Your skill at motherhood’s your legacy!