I know of these...

Of bruised elbows and scraped knees
Of climbing furniture and trees
Of teaching them thank you and please
I don't know very much of these

Of waking up to feed a child
Of fevers high or quite mild
Of spit upon laundry piled
I don't have what to get me riled

Of little Legos scattered round
Of Shabbos naps with many sounds
Of nurses weighing newborn's pounds
I don't see what they have found

But of bruised hearts and painful shots
Of climbing walls to see top docs
Of asking please to break each lock
These I know of, more often than not

Of waking up in early morn
Of crying when each niece is born
Of maternity clothing never worn
These I have to keep me forlorn

Of clean carpets I could sell
Of Shabbos naps in dank hotels
Of pounds I've gained & nurses of hell
These I see so very well

Picture Perfect

Beautiful couple on their wedding day
Bride tilts her head in the usual way
Hold it right there; smile just right
We must get it now, for you've only one night

Beautiful couple on their wedding day
Holding hands behind them, out of the way
Look at the camera now; lean in a tad
Smile real nice now so I won't get mad

Beautiful couple on your wedding day
Don't listen to what the photographers say
Photos are lovely, but you've begun your life
Look at him, see your husband
Look at her, see your wife

It's not through just one night that you'll have to grin
Though it might be painful to draw from within
When you fake a smile, make it real in effect
Look, beautiful couple, you're picture perfect.

The Call

She calls me on my cellphone.
Timid voice.
Not quite all grown yet.

I'm pregnant
she says.
You probably realized that
from the way I've been acting.

Sure did
I say.
Bishaah Tovah.

I feel like such a baby!
she exclaims.

You are
I reply.
My baby sister.

In The Face

Life just hits you in the face sometimes, you know?
You wake up in the morning, and WHAM!
G-d just had a message, waiting right there for you.
Only you don't want to hear it.
So you huddle under your covers, trying to drown out the sound of the thunder.
Close your eyes real tight, so as not to see the lightning.
But you can never hide completely.
The sound penetrates your covers.
The light flashes through your eyelids.
And you're left, gasping for breath, trying not to cry.
But cry you do.
You cry for what could have been,
and for what could be.
And you cry for what remains of what was once your proud, beautiful face.

Aleh Katan Sheli

I'm really feeling this song right now.