Writing Poetry with Kids Everywhere

Writing poetry with kids everywhere
isn't as enjoyable as it sounds.

Laser beams dance across the screen
while yogurt shimmies down
the plastic zippers of blanket sleepers.
They shout helpful hints, like
"Mom! 'Time' rhymes with...'time'!"
And I am forced to utter
a maternal "Thank you"
while the frustrated professional within
shakes her fist.

Later I gather one in my lap
and bask in him.

The push and pull of irritation
and gratitude.