If Momma Doesn't Mind

One of the rituals of my day is to spend time at the park with my daughter. This is why I leave for work at 5:30 AM. If I leave the office at 4 PM, I can usually be home by 4:45, which gives me about 30-45 minutes to take her to the park before it gets dark, or I need to go to the gym.

She likes to entertain me with stories of her day, what she wants to do tomorrow (almost always "go to the zoo"), and her ideas for the evening. Sometimes, it only takes a phrase to set off the creativity in my mind. This time it was my daughter saying: "If Momma Doesn't Mind".

If Momma Doesn't Mind a poem, inspired by and for my daughter
When I wake up in the morning I yawn and stretch the night away I sit up in my bed and wonder “What should I do today?” I’ll start by having candy for breakfast I’ll sample one of every kind Cover all of them with maple syrup That is, of course, if momma doesn’t mind After breakfast, it’d be so much fun If we all went to the zoo We’ll growl “Hello!” to the lions And hop along with kangaroos We’ll find our way to the petting farm And feed hay to all the goats Hopefully they’ll have a horse again Because I’ll bring him a bag of oats Once I’ve warmed up with feeding those I’ll give the bears some milk to drink I’ll go in their cage, and pat their head I wonder what momma will think? After such a busy morning I’m sure mom will need a break So for lunch we’ll have a picnic And I’ll feed the ducks out on the lake They come right up to the dock: They love my tasty snacks! And when they get close enough I’ll jump right on their backs We’ll swim and quack around the lake Laughing as we go I asked momma if I could last time She just said “maybe so”		When lunch is through we’ll have to go To the park that is nearby There's a tree they say is too tall to climb But I’ve always wanted to try I’ll scurry up the tree real fast Just like a little squirrel Everyone will stare and wonder “Is that a little girl?” I’ll keep climbing ‘til I reach the sky Or at least until the top The other kids will cheer me on Calling after me: “Don’t stop!” When I reach the top I’ll wave and shout And hang there by my knees I’ll sway back and forth just like a leaf Waving in the breeze Momma will smile up at me I know she’ll feel so proud At least I think that’s how she’ll act If I am allowed For dinner we’ll have root beer floats With cherries and whip cream Mom may think it’s too much sweets But it isn’t as sweet as it seems When we get home it’s story time And I’ll get to stay up late I’ll be up way past nine Even though my bedtime’s eight If it doesn’t bother momma, This is how I’ll spend my day I’ll hurry down and ask her I only hope she says “Okay”.