Seasons

by Cheryl Merrick
Seasons
(Read by one person)                 (read in unison)                          (read by other person)

Winter

Hobbling                                                                       Hopping
                                           to the window,
the old man                                                                   the young boy
                                           definitively declares,
“Too cold out there!”                                                   “Great sledding!”
                                           and so, with one last               
chilling glare,                                                                longing glance,
the old man                                                                   the young boy
settles back in                                                               rushes from
 his chair,                                                                      the room,
                                            thinking
                                            of snow,
                                            and hoping it
will soon                                                                       will not
                                             melt.

Trying on Hats

by Cheryl Merrick

My first was a princess crown,
glittering in the glow of indulgent parents,
shining new as I was the first child and grandchild.

I felt I could have been happy with my crown forever,
but one day my crown disappeared.
In its place was a modest dutiful daughter bonnet,
complete with two lists of detailed expectations;
  one from mom and the other from dad.
This hat became increasingly tight and restrictive,
and eventually fell apart due to stress.

Secure

by Cheryl Merrick

Chilled by the cool night air as we travel,
a lone car,
across the Nevada desert.

Surrounded by the comforting bulk
and lulled by the vibration
of our 1950 Pontiac,
we speed toward my grandparent’s home
in Pocatello, Idaho.

I awake, roused by the discomfort of sleeping
on hard, lumpy suitcases tucked in our foot space,
to see Dad driving and my mother and brother sleeping.

Peacefully secure,
I raise my five year old eyes heavenward,
and embraced by quietness,
gaze in wonder into a sky filled
with sparkling stars.

11/15/07

Different Ways to Say I Love You

by Cheryl Merrick

Mom, a creator of beauty, sewed me a closet of dresses
Dad, an active person,took us on hikes

Mom made birthday cakes--doll in the middle, and cake her dress
Dad lead the party games–skunk tag and statues

Mom kept our home clean and orderly
Dad taught us to “scrub down” before eating

Mom cooked good healthy meals
Dad played the ukelele and drums and sang to us

First Child

by Cheryl Merrick

Arrival

Excited and nervous
     we await your arrival.
Will we be good parents?
How do you take care of a baby?
I’ve never even held one before.
We attend classes.
I make maternity and baby clothes.
Your father sands and paints the crib yellow.
Small clothes are washed and diapers are ready,
     but are we ready?