Waiting (II)

My eyes are closed
and I hear little feet
coming with questions,
questions about outside water play…

The sun has been up for hours,
but they wait for me
to pop out of bed;
they help me serve breakfast;
they enjoy a movie
while I cut Dad’s hair…

empty the vacuum,
fill the dishwasher,
empty the dryer,
fill the washing machine,
open bananas,
close cups…

Now the water table is filling
with cold broth for “nature soup;”
the buckets and sponges are out,
the teacups and spoons in,
sunscreen is on…

The waiting comes
with waking…
and the baby is fast asleep.