I used to take her out to dinner
down where the boats were slipped
she would watch the people
I watched the water and ships
over the years no longer wanted presents
just a ride in the country
tour as the leaves were turning
or go to the park with the kids and eat
sometimes she talked of her parents
dead before I was born
when I was young couldn't understand
how it still bothered her
when it had been so long ago
as my hair changes and wrinkles increase
the more I become like them
with these tin man's knees
the more I realize they were once like me
and since she's been gone her words come back
reminds what I didn't understand then
someday I'd live to see
the shorter the candle becomes
the clearer the path before me
I remember how careless I reacted
the day she looked at my boy and said
'I wish I could be around to watch him grow up'
not taking it seriously, I just said she would instead
but she knew what I did not
now an age will never be old enough for me again
to say well at least they had a long life
no matter how high the number is
there's never enough time
and the precious moments too few
Mom I wish I had told you then
I wish you could be here to watch him grow up too.

Lauren B Called

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/wish-165/