Cutting Apron Strings

by Cheryl Merrick

Oh! The pain!
Doesn't she love me anymore?
How can he just ignore me?
Why doesn't she even call?

We were so close.
Have I done something wrong?
He passes by me as if I wasn't even there,
and spends his time with others.

Granddaughter at 6 Months

by Cheryl Merrick

Smiles of recognition

Thoughtful glances

Shared giggles

Proudly sitting up by herself

Rolling over is mastered

Holding on tightly, she stands

Her few steps hinting of future independence

Fascinated by life

She explores her world

Carefully considering sounds and tastes

Watching children play

Grabbing and shaking all within her reach

Chewing and sampling all that will go into her mouth

Till finally, snuggling into the arms of those who love her,

Her excitement gives way

To exhausted sleep

Growing Up

by Cheryl Merrick

As a child angrily pounds on his father’s leg,
screaming, “You don’t love me!”,
we threaten to withhold our love
from God
if He does not immediately
give us all we desire.
After all, we, in our toddlers wisdom,
feel sure we now know what is best for us.
At least, we know we want it right now,
and our father should give it to us.
If He truly loves us, wouldn’t He want us to be happy?
With a surety breed from ignorance and arrogance,
we constantly test Our Father’s love,
demanding His immediate fulfillment
of our every desire.
In peace He stands,
enduring our childish blows and shrill screams,
our pouting and our sulking.
In love He withholds what would harm us,
waiting for us
to accept His wisdom
and begin growing up.

Two Voices

by Cheryl Merrick

I am in my teens, I am - well much older
and a daughter. and her mother.
Sometimes I miss being a Sometimes I miss my little girl
child and being taken care of, And taking care of her,
But mainly I want to grow up. But most of the time I wish she’d act more grown up.
I wonder when she will ever     I wonder when she will accept
allow me more freedom? more responsibility?

 What does she expect of me?

She is so frustrating!

If Only

by Cheryl Merrick

If only I’d been watching
If only I’d trusted him more

If only I’d said something
If only I’d kept my mouth shut

I only I’d thought of that
If only I hadn’t remembered

Fledgling

by Cheryl Merrick

Tromping upon the fallen cherries,
the young robin begs, with open mouth,
for its parent to feed him.

Ignoring the persistent cries,
the adult calmly continues to show the way,
Til eventually,
the frustrated fledgling
bends down and begins to feast.

Cheering

by Cheryl Merrick

Watching,
     I yearn to save
them the pain
I have known.

Then, remembering,
     that strength
     comes from struggle,
I cheer their efforts.

Possessions

by Cheryl Merrick

Hugging the object
     tightly in her arms,
the girl gleefully declares,
     “It’s mine!”

With the passage of time
     novelty wanes
leaving past treasures
     to amass in dusty corners,
unused and forgotten,
    but jealously hoarded.

In between Age

by Cheryl Merrick

I’m at that in between age.
Though being a teen
is something I’ve not recently seen,
I am in between.

My children have grown,
and nearly all flown.
But married they’re not,
and grandchildren I have not.
So till then, 
I stay in between.

Always a Mother

by Cheryl Merrick


They’re on their own.
You cheer them on as they manage their own lives-
getting an education, choosing a mate, 
making a living, and raising a family.
You share in their triumphs and sorrows.