Excuse This House

EXCUSE THIS HOUSE

Some houses try to hide the fact

That children shelter there.

Ours boasts of it quite openly,

The signs are everywhere.

For smears are on the windows,

Little smears are on the doors.

I should apologize, I guess,

For toys strewn on the floor.

But we sat down together

And we played and laughed and read.

And if the doorbell doesn't shine,

Their eyes will shine instead.

For when at times I'm forced to choose

The one job o'er the other,

I'd like to cook and clean and scrub,

But first, I'll be a mother.