Unfinished Children

Unfinished Children

She had to leave before she was quite finished

With her children.

They still needed

help with choosing their clothes,

help with their hair,

Their manners,

Their minds.

Help with choosing their friends,

Help with learning how to love.

She needed to tell them how she loved --

Deeply, generously, never quite finished giving,

Finished too soon.

10/11/2002

Burlington, Iowa