Sticky hands and grape juice smiles
When my daughter and son
Were but babies of 6 months old
I remember a highchair with a shiny metal tray
Bite size Food spread out before them
Little hands reaching, raking into their palm
Smashing against their mouth
Half got in, half stayed on their face
Food was a tactile experience
New tastes, new textures
The stickier, the better
They played with their food
And learned through taste and touch
What was hard or soft, smooth or rough
Then when they were one, the lid came off the sippy cup
And they learned to tip and drink
That adorable stain on the upper lip
Before they could control the flow
Many a spill covered them and the floor
But what did it matter
They were learning, they were growing
And as I sat there across from them
Talking to them, encouraging them, loving them
And yes, helping them play with their food
Babbling back and forth
We were the only two people in the world
Learning about each other
After gently cleaning those sticky little fingers, counting piggy’s
Wiping that precious little mouth, with the hint of a stain still lingering
We would sit and play with a toy, just enjoying their babyhood
The days of sticky hands and grape juice smiles
Are gone these 50 years
But I can still see them sitting in that high chair
And looking back, those were the most wonderful experiences of my life
I look at photos of the milestones they have achieved
And take pride in the incredible people they grew up to be
But photos of those sticky hands and grape juice smiles
Will always be the dearest to me
-
Author:
Bella Shepard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: August 10th, 2022 15:46
- Comment from author about the poem: This one is for my daughter and son, the loves of my life!
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 37
- Users favorite of this poem: L. B. Mek, Paul Bell
Offline)
Comments7
Such a wonderful poem Bella, those times when children very young are so very special in our memories.
Andy
Thank you dear friend for those sweet words. The older I get, the more comfort they give me.
A fine write Bella.
Thank you my dear Orchidee for reading my little stroll down memory lane, it made me want to rock my babies again except they're much harder to pick up these days.
Brilliant!
this
work, of sheer unwavering bravery
and sincerity of the utmost intimacy
with that poetic eloquence
of effortless, magnetism
is why I read..
thank you! for choosing to share
dear Poet
'Food was a tactile experience
New tastes, new textures
The stickier, the better'
reading choice wording, like this
reminds me, despite it all
indeed, life
is beautiful!
Thank you my dear friend for the sweetest words, you understand my intent so well. Life is indeed beautiful, every precious little moment of it.
I would imagine not a lot has changed. The fingers are still sticky, the high chair might be a bit posher, but the food still goes everywhere apart from in their mouths.
I think the high chairs these days are at the Public House where they imbibe a more adult beverage, and may just get more everywhere depending on how much they've imbibed. Thank you for reading and giving me a good chuckle.
Beautiful dedication to your children Bella. I vividly saw the scenes as you took us through each milestone ! Great write !
Thank you my friend for reading and for such a touching comment, it is greatly appreciated.
I just knew from the delicious title and even before opening the page that I was gonna enjoy sharing the mess that was likely to be contained within ... and boy, I was not disappointed ... I'm still wearing a trace of my initial smile as I recollect similar memories of my own kids .. Thank you my dear literary friend and poet ..... Neville
Thank you my dear friend, it is so nice to share those little moments that mean so much.
Bella this brought so many memories of my own children and the past. The past is foggy like a dream but some images remain clear. I am glad that the clear ones are the happiest
Thank you so much for those words, dear friend. I'm so glad that we can share those happy memories .
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