FAMILY

Laughter rings out

Shared joys

Of innocent games

Mingled

With tears of indignation

I want

Me too

Young bodies

Old minds

Toddlers

Trying to join elder siblings

In their fun

I can too

Is the cry

As they struggle with bat

Book or pen

Little people

Huge ambition

Smiles at the attempts

Middle children

Too old

Too young

Finding a place

Finding themselves

Harsh judges of themselves

Why can't I yet

When will it be

Too big for this

Not old enough for that

What can I do

Being is not enough

When you are almost grown

Nor is it

When growing

Brings rollercoasters

To Mind Body and Heart

Sometimes a child yet

Other days

Raging chemicals

And thoughts

Together both

Nurturing of younger ones

But then

Frustrated

By their invasion

Into space and thought

What reason

The soul choosing

Of each

To journey a large family

What lessons to be learnt

Fires to inflame

Hearts to broaden

Patience found

Abundant love lived

In the cacophony

Of each day

Experiencing

The enormity of life

Safely enclosed

In the intensity

Of home

What privilege

What pleasure

Such harmony of souls

Called family