“The next two poems are sort of bookends representing a phase of family life. The first of the two recounts a day when a father realizes that time with his kids is limited and vital. The second of the two occurs when that special era of having children in the household has ended.“

While walking behind
  That mower of mine
And planning the day's work ahead,
  I came on a spot
'Neath the swing I'd just bought
  Where the grass was decidedly dead.

Concern creased my brow
  At this scar that I found
As I quickly deduced it's reason.
  The continuous pound
Of small feet on this ground
  Would doom further growth for the season.

My fleeting regret
  Was, in seconds, met
By a thought that brought even more pain.
  The empty spot here
Would, in just a few years,
  Be healthy and growing again.

The lesson was learned.
  To the house I returned,
And put the old mower away.
  New plans were made;
I stopped work to play
  With my kids for the rest of the day.