Poetry by Peter A. Witt
There was a time when nannies read
stories to children in the garden
on a spring day, when butterflies flitted
flower to flower, joined by humming
birds, the occasional bee.
She would read of princes and kings,
even fairies and dragons,
children’s eyes growing wide
with amazement and excitement.
Sometimes she’d stop, direct
her gaze to an old dog sleeping
in the shade, watching his belly
expand and fall, hoping he’d make it
through the heated summer until fall.
If she paused too long the children
would say, read us more, please,
read us some more, and she’d
turn the page and read more
of whatever adventure
her gaze had interrupted.
When the sun shifted and it became
too warm to continue, she’d bring
her charges inside where the cook
had prepared jelly sandwiches and
chocolate chip cookies for the children,
accompanied by a cold glass
of farm fresh milk.
As the children’s eyes grew weary,
nanny would settle them down
for a nap, then return to a shaded
place in the garden and read
her own book, accompanied
by the sleeping old dog.
Peter A. Witt is a poet, family history writer, active birder and photographer. Peter retired in 2015 from a 43 year university teaching and research career. He lives with his wife and Keeshond in Texas.
