pudgy, sticky fingers will leave their print
colored-on walls will stand proud in front of your boss
cheerios crunch underfoot
and smiles light up one of your own.

toothpaste smeared on the wall dries
raw eggs sit on the floor waiting to be cooked
legos keep you on your toes
and a laugh pulls one from your throat.

half-read books cover their beds
left shoes go missing
trains chug into your bed
and a reaching hand meets yours.

open arms meet another pair,
a small head nuzzles under your chin,
a smell of baby's soap reaches your nose
and you hear a garbled sigh of happiness

toys are picked up
grime is washed away
once-graffiti-ed walls shine new
and you place the soft-haired child to sleep.

another day is over
the house is clean for a few more hours
you relax into the couch
and close your eyes to another day of life with someone to love
who loves you back completely.