Boys on the Lawn

Boys playing in the twilight
on green spring lawns.
The magnolia bloomed today,
the daffodils burst skyward.
The boys are redfaced and bright,
the spring air fills their lungs
as they huff and puff,
Reluctant for supper and bedtime.

Eagerly they throw themselves
into wild tumbling and races.
They come to the door for water,
and then launch themselves
back into the fray.

When it's too dark to see
my boys scuffle through the door
into my arms.
Their hair smelling like grass,
mud, and evening air.

Cool and sweaty,
their hair in a tangle,
their jeans stained with grass and mud,
they exude the tonic
of children.

The bubble bath is frothy.
They scorn it at first,
and then with rubber sharks,
dive in and attack.