Paper roses hug the white frame upon my desk,

of sunshine smiles in their Sunday best.

Four seasons have settled upon the flowers,

a dusty reminder of my spent hours.

Deadlines, work and rushing around,

when time is lost and never found.

Even with all goals achieved,

and I can't help feeling I've been deceived.

The cherished smell of success,

is now causing me much distress.

Seeing how my kids have grown,

this past year as time has flown,

with too few moments of us together,

laughing or playing in any weather.

Beyond this room I hear the sounds,

of giggling love that's profound.

Awakens my need to feed my heart,

and fill each moment like a cart.

"Come play, mom." My children call just now,

and to them, I swear a silent vow.

To plant more seeds, find time to play,

and show my love in every way.

Paper flowers, mere decoration,

when compared to my children's love and adoration.

I'm just a working mom, torn between leaving her kids each day and working for (paper) money to buy the things we need. Dedicated to my two kids, Trinity and Breadon! (My two little petals.) BTW-there really is a white picture frame (family photo) and paper roses on my desk at work. This poem was written for the WP_Poetry, January poetry contest.