Our Day

Alarms buzzing, arms stretching, eyes unsealing, beds creaking.

Hushed whispers, closets opening, faces gazing out at the new day.

Deep breaths, quickly dressing, slippers gliding by the ones still sleeping.

Dismounting stairs, lights perk up, yawny greetings, brightening sun rays.

On our way.

Bibles shutting, brooms sweeping, cloths dusting, trash dumping.

Voices murmuring, suppressed laughter, six are now awake.

Daydreamers, hurry-uppers, shushing siblings, playful bumping.

Glove grabbing, coat snatching, minutes left till seven?

Only eight.

Front door opening, birds twittering, chilly air rushing, boots on feet.

Gravel crunching, roosters crowing, cats unfolding, feeding time.

Lambs skipping, water running, feed in buckets, hay so sweet.

Dog petting, cows lowing, horses neighing,

Animals are fine.

Children returning, book reading, pencils sharpening, the house is bustling.

Stairs creaking, feet rushing, noisy greetings, hugs from Mum.

Piano playing, word spelling, math solving, pages rustling.

Double checking, problem correcting, finished for now.

Yay, we're done!

Clock hands at ten past one, pots steaming, dishes filling, running late.

Chairs scooting, glasses tinkling, sounds of laughter, is everyone here?

Prayer finished, silverware clattering, voices talking, loading plates.

Cleaning dishes, table wiping, song singing, washing up.

Times so dear.

Sun in mid-sky, task assigning, tool gathering, garden toil.

Dirt hoeing, box building, seed planting, finishing a task.

Fire burning, barn cleaning, fence repairing, moving soil.

Weed pulling, tree planting, wood splitting, almost done.

Twilight at last.

Bell ringing, tool returning, hungry bellies, table redd.

Day recalling, smiling faces, hunger sated, cleaning up.

Teeth brushing, washing faces, pajama donning, fish are fed.

Silent reading, journal writing, packing Dad’s lunch, woodstove cramming.

Peaceful dusk.

Voices quieting, Dad reading, heads bowing for a prayer.

Time checking, knowing glances, pass between the eldest ones.

Book opening, children bursting, chapter naming, finding where we were.

Hearts racing, breath holding, sighs releasing, nightfall upon us.

Must we be done?

Hugs and kisses, doors locking, house resetting, Dad driving away.

Playful teasing, line for the bathroom, drinking water, are you done?

Stair climbing, music playing, lights dimming, goodnight to say.

Next day planning, into beds climbing, eyes fasten, silent prayers.

Good night, everyone.

~Halayah