The kitchen can wait, my darling son
I know I’ve been busy but now I’m done.
The bread’s in the oven, the soup has been made
Two things off my list of twenty today.
Now the kitchen can wait, the dishes too
You’re more important, I promise it’s true.
There’s a lot going on, you’ll know when you’re older
What the weight of the world feels like on your shoulders.
But the kitchen can wait, my little sweet
I’ve been preoccupied lately so we can eat.
I’d rather be spending my time with you
Looking into your eyes while you look in mine too.
So the kitchen can wait, my darling boy
You’ve been so patient, now let’s find a toy.
I love how you’ve stayed nearby to play
Your smile and your chatter brighten my day.
Yes the kitchen can wait, so can the stove
A mess will always be there, but you won’t I know.
The days and months have been flying so fast
I want to cherish them while they last.
The kitchen can wait, my little man
You’re growing up as fast as you can.
Let’s leave the pots, the plates and the pan
To embrace this moment while we still can.
© Chelsea Lee Smith 2015
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Honestly, this sounds so loving and deadly romantic. It vibrates the importance of a mother’s role in watching her children growing up. A time, once gone will never come back, and the loving memories of this period will linger on…..writing piece which is so poetic and touching…. so deep, if you notice the choice of words. Reading this, I get so inspired…. Greaaaatttt Work!
Thank you for your kind words, Farida. My four year old inspired me to write this today. I was just watching him hang around the kitchen waiting for me to be done, but the work is never done. Sometimes the kitchen just has to wait 🙂
Chelsea, that was so so beautiful 🙂 I really love it!
Thanks so much Rachel – definitely a needed reminder to myself 🙂
Wow! Beautifully written!!! You have a true talent for capturing a mother’s heart and the daily battle we have with slowing down to savor the moments. Thank you so much for continuing to inspire & enlighten us all. What a gift you are!!!
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Rachel 🙂
I recently found your blog and LOVE the concept of finding meaning in motherhood through focusing on what’s important and teaching character traits! Very inspiring – keep writing! Looking forward to your next post!
What a lovely message to receive! I’m so glad you are enjoying the blog – thanks for your comment 🙂
A lovely love letter! Thank you for sharing the inspiration your son brings to you. Savoring these moments is truly the best we can do as a parent. Beautiful!
Yes when we look back on it, appreciating the moment and doing our best to make the most of it – is really all we have! x
This is so beautiful Chelsea. It reminds me of my 2 year-old son, all the time. This composition inspire me to really take serious time toward him and others can wait, because yes, you are right, the work is never done. So they can wait
Lovely write up….:)
This was so fitting for me to read tonight! Thank you for posting. I just posted w/your credits in my blog as well at http://www.realityofamommy.blogspot.com –I hope you don’t mind! It’s beautiful and a must read. Love your site!
I’m honoured you linked to my poem on your blog – thanks 🙂
Love this! It reminds me of a poem that my mom had hanging in our house and I’ve always been so fond of it-
Cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow
for babies grow up, we’ve learned to our sorrow
So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep
I’m rocking my baby
And babies don’t keep.
🙂
Aw that’s beautiful, thanks for sharing!
This was so beautiful. I have a 14-months old baby and he always tugs on my pants leg when I do the dishes holding a toy. This made me tear up. Thank you.
So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Oh Chelsea this is so beautiful! 🙂
Soooo nice I love it
Doing tasks sometimes seems so much easier than being completely present to young children.
Thank you for this beautiful poem. I will copy it down and put it up (in my kitchen!) to remind me how fast the years are flying by. I worry I may miss them.
Thanks for your beautiful words.
Thanks for your lovely feedback, so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I just came across your blog Chelsea and ‘The Kitchen Can Wait’ caught my eye as I have my four year old home from school today (apparently he was sick) and our five month old and I had a million things to do today and yet…the kitchen can wait. Thanks for the perspective. Loved it.