Kindergarten Girl

The First Day of School

She started school this morning

And she seemed so very small

As I walked there beside her

In the kindergarten hall.

And as she took her place beside

The others in the class

I realized how all too soon

Those first few years can pass.

Remembering, I saw her as

She first learned how to walk

The words that we alone made out

When she began to talk.

This little girl so much absorbed

In learning how to write

It seems as though she must have grown

To girlhood overnight.

Oh how I longed to stay with her

And hold her by the hand

To lead her through the places

That she couldn't understand.

And something closely kin to fear

Was mingled with my pride

For I knew she would no longer be

A baby by my side.

But she must have her chance to live

To work her problems out

The privilege to grow and learn

What life is all about.

And I must share my little girl

With friends and work and play

She's not a baby anymore ~

She's in kindergarten today.