To Mom (on her birthday)

two times two

we tie the shoe

at first it seems so hard

three times three

we climb the tree

and look beyond the yard

four times four

we stamp the floor

and dance while someone sings

five times five

new friends arrive

we try out different things

six times six

we hope to fix

and not to compromise

seven times seven

we’re more expecting

to best learn from our tries

eight times eight

we delegate

our children grown and gone

nine times nine

we view the shrine

and climb onto the swan

and may that ride

stay with the tide

and keep afloat till when

the sun sets all

the clouds ablaze

and we reach ten times ten

love, Jeffry 8/6/2006