In Honor of New Kindergarteners

[Phyllis]

My daughter is starting kindergarten on Monday, as are her cousins 
who live in California and Pennsylvania.  I wrote this poem in their 
honor, but thought I'd post it here for all HPfGU-ers who have 
children starting kindergarten this fall.  Congratulations!

The Garden of Children

For Drew, Jack and Grace

Into the garden of children
Three cousins shall venture
To find loving teachers
Who guide without censure 

On the school bus they'll travel
While their parents unravel
To learn how to play
Without pushing others away

Letters and numbers they'll learn
And letting each take a turn
Building castles out of blocks
Catching some of life's hard knocks

The library they'll enter
Becoming book renters
To the gym they will dash
Playing tag in a flash

On the playground they'll climb
When the weather is fine
>From their backpacks, a treat
A mother's small feat

>From the garden of children
Three cousins return home
To find loving families
Who water the seeds sown

~Phyllis