That you could tie or buckle your shoe.
At night when the stars blinked loftily down At us and the lights in our little town, You read to me,
I read to you
Of the Little Red Hen and Little Boy Blue, And all I wanted was that you should need To feel this urgency to read.
And all I wanted when the noon sun shone Was that you could walk to school alone.
Sometimes the wind tossed leaves in our path; You would leave my side and chase them and laugh;
I watched how the breeze tossed your red-gold curls As you dropped my apron to run with the girls;
All that I wanted was that you should decide The turn of your sails with the outgoing tide.
All that I wanted too soon is here; You need me no longer, but, oh, my dear-- Childhood, schooldays--now that you're grown, How can I learn to walk alone?
My hands were busy through the day
I didn't have much time to play
The little games you asked me to.
I didn't have much time for you.
I'd wash your clothes, I'd sew and cook, But when you'd bring your picture book
And ask me please to share your fun,
I'd say:
"A little later, son."
I'd tuck you in all safe at night
And hear your prayers, turn out the light, The tiptoe softly to the door...
I wish I'd stayed a minute more.
For time is short, the years rush past.. A little boy grows up so fast. No longer is he at your side,
His precious secrets to confide.
The picture books are put away,
There are no longer games to play,
No good-night kiss, no prayers to hear.... That all belongs to
yesteryear.
My hands, once busy, now are still.
The days are long and hard to fill.
I wish I could go back and do
The little things you asked me to.
