My children have grown, away, to have lives of their own,
Unaware of the years, of joy and of tears,
That saw them mature, thru heartaches and fears.
Seldom do they pause, look back and see,
standing here, their father and me.

Do they see we're real people with hopes and feelings,
often hurt by words and thoughtless dealings?
With us, with each other, mother father, sister brother,
Careless with our hearts and the hearts of one another.

Do they understand or even consider
that we don't belong to the highest bidder!
Each of them have a special precious place
that no other can fill, erase or trace.

It only takes a touch, a hug or a smile,
to float us on cloud nine for quite a while.
And even greater joy, content and satisfaction
when they benefit from their own responsible action.

But perhaps its just me who has more maturing to do,
To let them go, to let them live their lives
And just say 'I love you.'

Yes, my children have grown,
and I hope they will sometimes pause, look back and see,
Still standing here, their father and me.

marion carter

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/my-children-have-grown/