Play Ball With Me

His brown eyes gazed so pleadingly, "Mama, please play with the ball and me." "Dear Son, I would like to play with you, but I have so many things to do." He turned away without a word, and it's been long since I have heard "Mama will you play with me?" If I could go back to used to be, I'd ignore the dishes and unmade bed, to play with my precious child instead. Made beds and done dishes he doesn't recall, but rather when he and I played ball. Floors stay to be cleaned another day. Too soon his childhood has gone away. I no longer am his all in all and hear no longer, "Mama let's play ball." Written for Debbie's contest Won First place
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

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Eastman Avatar
August 9, 2011 at 10:07 AM
Great Poem. Congratulations on your win with a lament from many a mother... especially me.
Freeman Avatar
August 4, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Joyce, great to see your poem at the top of the list, Congratulations on your worthy presentation. Agape, Moses
Devonshire Avatar
August 3, 2011 at 8:49 PM
Oh my goodness. How did I miss this, Joyce? Surely, children remember the time you spent enjoying things with them far more than the work you did to help them have a good life. Great work and so deserving of first place. Been struggling and haven't been online, but had to offer my congrats. Love you, Carolyn
Onclaud Avatar
August 3, 2011 at 11:40 AM
CHEERS to you for the TOP, great win, joyce..:) huggs!
Brown Avatar
August 3, 2011 at 7:57 AM
Congratulations on your placement in Debbie's "Play Ball" contest Joyce. Love,Carol
Osita Avatar
August 3, 2011 at 6:04 AM
Many congrats on your first place win in Debbie's contest
Johnson Avatar
August 3, 2011 at 5:22 AM
tinge of sadness cousin babe, well done here, still mamas slave (me) just fixed her front door lock:) deserved place up there i see! xo, Don
Nair Avatar
August 3, 2011 at 4:37 AM
Thank you so much..a sweet one, this write of yours..congrats on your fabulous win, jag
Ali Avatar
August 3, 2011 at 1:27 AM
super write!!!will certainly make more time to play with my boys. Ignoring them lately:(. your poem is truly written from the heart.Happiness Always.
Richards Avatar
August 2, 2011 at 10:42 PM
Oh yes....how many regrets do we have, each one of us, when time with our children is so terribly precious, and fleeting. What a heartfelt poem, and every parent can relate! Excellent win!!
Macmillan Avatar
August 2, 2011 at 10:32 PM
Joyce, until just now I had missed reading this. My eyes are tearing! As a mom to a toddler, I almost always put my baby girl and time with her first. Every now and then, when the dishes are falling out of the sink, when I can't find a clean pair of shorts to wear, when the cat hair on my carpet looks so thick I could braid it, I finally start to clean. Even then, I feel guilty. I know its also important for her to play alone, but I DO KNOW how short these days are. Bless you for this poem!
Sweetheart Avatar
August 2, 2011 at 10:03 PM
Congrats Joyce on your first place win with this wonderful write luv.. excellent one my friend.. kudos ..top spot..
Kendrick Avatar
July 27, 2011 at 2:35 PM
Very truthful and good advice poem for young mothers..Some things can go undone sometimes for family fun and bond building..Enjoyed reading this afternoon..Good luck in the contest.Reads like a winner to me..Thanks for stopping by, reading, and commenting on my work..Sara
Aul Avatar
July 27, 2011 at 2:03 PM
Good luck in the contest.....boys always need their moms at some point in time.......George
Brown Avatar
July 27, 2011 at 7:49 AM
May your inspiration be long lived and your life be filled with many wonderful years of writing and of sharing your outstanding poetry. I enjoyed reading your poetry this morning Joyce. Love, Carol
Gorelick Avatar
July 26, 2011 at 10:34 PM
Just awesome...dont we all wish we could have done things a bit differently. BG
Bailey Yoder Avatar
July 26, 2011 at 2:43 PM
fantastic piece! this is oh so true...they grow in the blink of an eye!
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