Only One Childhood

� 1998 by Linda Ellis

I stopped to watch my little girl
busy playing in her room.
In one hand was a plastic phone;
in the other she held a toy broom.

I listened as she was speaking
to her make believe little friend
and I'll never forget the words she said,
even though it was pretend.

She said, "Suzie is in the corner
'cause she has not been very good.
She didn't listen to a word I said
or do the things she should."

In the corner I saw her baby doll
all dressed in lace and pink.
It was obvious she had been put there
to sit alone and think.
My daughter continued her "conversation,"
as I sat down on the floor.

She said, "I'm all fed up, I just don't know
what to do with her anymore,
She whines whenever I have to work
and wants to play games, too.
She never lets me do the things
that I just have to do!
She tries to help me with the dishes,
but her arms just cannot reach.
She doesn't know how to fold the towels
and I don't have the time to teach.
I have a lot of work to do
and a big house to keep clean.
I can't find time to sit and play --
don't you know what I mean?"

And that day I thought a lot about
making some changes in my life;
as I listened to her innocent words
that cut me like a knife.

I hadn't been paying enough attention
to what I hold most dear.
I'd been caught up in responsibilities
that increased throughout the year.