There once was a bowl
a good and decent bowl
it held soapy water
for a tiny infant
when her mother feared
the bath too large

There once was a bowl
a good and decent bowl
anchored beneath the chin
of a little boy
when his stomach feared
nursery school, too big

There once was a bowl
a good and decent bowl
it held on the shelf
for homeless socks
when they feared
losing perfect partners
And so is the life
of a good and decent bowl

Whose owner feared
new children were akin
to delicate birds
and nervous newts
before they grew
too tall and too strong
too fast

May you dream of a good and decent bowl that cares for treasures, both small and too large…

Please note though I’m all Italian I’d like to offer a big, beautiful, festively green Happy St. Pat’s to all!

Photos: Delicate daughter first used good and decent bowl when she was extremely delicate, Nana’s helping hands. Big son used good and decent bowl in mornings – he suffered nausea for 2 months at the start of nursery school. Now the good and decent bowl houses lost socks that dream of being reunited with their significant others. Perhaps one day we’ll bronze the good and decent bowl, as is the good and decent thing to do. 🙂
Art: (both critters endangered) rendered with marker and pencil a few weeks ago for a special project