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Ducks In a Row - a poem

© Sandy McCollum

I wish so much the war would end
Sometimes it causes pain
The fear and tears have their own will
Come down my face like rain

My little girls rushed up to ask
"Mama, where's Big Ryan?"
I got the map to show them where
"Mama, why're you cryin'?"

I said I didn't know just why
It happens all the time
Sometimes I can't seem to keep our
Ducks all in a line

"Ducks? Do we have ducks now, Mama?"
They got all excited
I told them they were pretend ducks
Quickly they were quieted

"We'll help put your ducks in line,"
The seven year-old said
"Pretend to walk and feed them, too"
A small hand brushed my head

That's awful sweet, my little girl
I said as best I could
Through tears I tried to keep subdued
Thinking that I should

She looked at me with child-love
Understanding in her eyes
So young and yet she felt so much
Seemingly child-wise

"Which ducks shall we fence-up first?"
Her next question was
The ones upon her bedroom floor
Were all I could think of

Let's put all the toys away
And keep the room that way
Then when brother Ryan comes
You can mess it when you play

"Will you stop cryin' if we do?"
I nodded my teary head
She kissed my face and grabbed her sis
To help her make her bed

They cleaned up all their toys that day
Have kept a clean room since
It's their way of helping Mom
Keep ducks inside the fence

Good journeys!

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