Barking Spiders (and Other Such Stuff)

Jan 01, 2024

“May you always see the world through the eyes of a child.” —C.J. Heck

The barking spiders all march in
Just past dinnertime.
Some big, some small, they come to call
Floating on the wind behind.

Each is clearly noticed,
Although they can't be seen.
You're positive they're there though
'Cause your nose is very keen.

You know you can't outrun 'em
And a net won't get 'em caught.
Your friends laugh 'cause they're funny ...
Your Mom yells 'cause they're not!

So, open all the windows!
Crack the vents real fast!
'Cause these aren't normal spiders ...
Barking spiders are … just gas.

On warm, dark nights I think I see,
Beneath the weeping willow tree,
The fairies dancing in the grass
On tiny feet that fly so fast.

The music is the wind that blows
While fairies spin on bare tiptoes.
The fireflies jewel up the night
Reflecting fairies in their light.

Round and round the fairies dance
On bitsy feet that skip and prance,
Through tiny dew drops to and fro,
Till morning comes and then they go.

I wonder where the fairies live
And if they know what fun they give
To little girls and boys that see
Beneath the weeping willow tree.

Can anybody tell me
What's that stuff between my toes?
My Daddy says it's "toe jam"
(But I don't think he really knows).

It's icky and it's fuzzy
And I think I'll tell my Dad ...
I wouldn't put it on my bread
If it was the only jam we had!

I know sometimes that clouds bring rain
In wintertime it's snow.
And spring is good because it makes
The pretty flowers grow.

I know that God is everywhere
And angels all have wings,
That dogs can't talk and bunnies hop.
I know so many things.

But why do Daddies go away?
It makes kids and Mommies sad.
Are there windows up in Heaven?
Did I do something bad?

Mommy said it's not like that ...
Children all are good.
Sometimes Daddies just can't stay
Even though we wish they could.

Daddy loves me most of all
Never think he doesn't care
... And he sees me from the windows.
God just needs him more up there.

Belly buttons look so funny!
Some have lots of hair.
Some are in and some are out ...
Just a hole that goes nowhere.

Gramma’s gone, but not forgotten
That’s her apron hanging —there.
It still hangs in Grampa’s kitchen.
Sometimes he looks at it and stares.

When Gramma wore her apron
It was magical to me.
The pockets held such treasures
For the grand kids just like me.

Saw it shine up Grampa's fender once
Just as pretty as you please
And it wiped my brother's cheek off
One time when he sneezed.

It took cookies from the oven.
It rushed to wipe a tear.
Got a grain of sand out of your eye
And made a lap for the stories you’d hear.

Sometimes I’m sad to look at it
When I see my grampa stare.
Gramma’s gone, but not forgotten.
That’s her apron hanging —there.