‘Twas the night before school
Everyone was trying to keep cool
The bags were hung with care
School time anxiety filled the air
The children were in their beds
With visions of school books and teachers in their heads
And mama thinking of any mishap
Tried to calm herself with a nightcap
From the bedrooms arose a clatter
We sprung from bed to see what was the matter
Without batting an eyelash
Mommy was there in a flash
The answers to many questions they wanted to know
What if we were too slow
And the bus did not appear
The kids would sneer
With a calm voice that came quick
I knew mom would be slick
With a serene voice, she said his name
“Sweetheart, we will be there on time”, then the calm came
“Now son, Now daughter
No more hoop and holler
Close your eyes, Drift to sleep
Hide those troubled thoughts deep”
With a wind beneath she did fly
As she said her final good-bye
Into dream land they flew
Then we tried too
When we settled it was proof
That even me she could spoof
For just as I turned around
She flew from the bed with a bound
Dressed for the night from head to foot
She walked in the driveway soot
With a bundle of school supplies on her back
She checked each backpack
Her eyes how they twinkled, her smile so merry
Her cheeks became rosy like a cherry
She came back to bed with a bow
She had to compose herself somehow
In the morning would be brushing teeth
A bus tag hung on the neck like a wreath
A full breakfast belly
Of toast and jelly
Looking at the clock on the shelf
I tried to remind myself
Despite all the fears in my head
There was nothing to dread
I spoke not a word, but went back to sleep
And buried my anxieties deep
Wrapping my arm around my wives side
I readied myself for a new wild ride
We sprang from the bed when the clock gave a whistle
Down the bus stop like a thistle
As they drove out of sight
We knew they would be alright