IS THIS THE LAST TIME? BY JENNIFER GURNEY

When you were young
I would wonder
From time to time

Is this the last time
That you’ll sit on my lap?
I’ll treasure this more

Is this the last time
You’ll crawl into bed after
A nightmare?

Is this the last time
We’ll read a bedtime story?
I hope there are more

Is this the last time
You’ll reach for my hand
As we cross the street?

Is this the last time
You’ll tell me your dreams
As you drift off to sleep?

And over time
The questions grew with you
But still I ask

Is this the last time
You’ll ask for help with homework
When you can’t work it out?

Is this the last time
You’ll ask for your favorite dinner
Till you make it yourself?

Is this the last time
We’ll sleep under the same roof
Before you have your own?

And now the questions
Are different and yet
Still poignant

Left unasked
Except for in the
Confines of my heart

And as you grow
Into the man you are becoming
I cherish our time even more