Sleepover

Open one eye,
Look around-
I'm on a mattress
On the ground.

My toys are scattered
'Cross the floor,
Is that my jacket
On the door?

I turn the other
Way to see
My sister staring
Back at me!

We burst into giggles,
The big clock chimes,
And Grandma calls,
"It's breakfast time!"

Copyright Jacquelyn Bytyqi 2012

A Billion

If I had a billion bucks
I'd spend them all on books,
Big books, small books,
Arms stacked high,
Despite the funny looks.

If I had a billion hours
I'd while them all away,
Reading in my garden
'Neath the branches
Gentle sway.

If I had a billion nights
I'd spend them in my bed
With a flashlight under
Grandma's quilt,
'Til Mother came and said:

"Little one, it's really time
To please switch out the light
And let me tuck you in once more,
And once more say 'Goodnight.'"

Copyright Jacquelyn Bytyqi 2012

Into

Plink plink plink
the little pebbles say.

Plunk plunk plunk,
the bigger rocks say.

Ploonk ploonk kerploosh!
The biggest stones sound.

And Splash! is what I say
when I jump into the pond!

Copyright Jacquelyn Bytyqi 2012

At River's Edge

If you ask me where
is my favorite place to be,
"The river's edge!" Is what I'd say,
if you asked that to me.

The sunlight sparkle on the water,
glinting gold and bright,
the chatter of a flock of geese
just settling from flight.

The skipping of the water bugs
that glide like little boats,
the muddy banks and frothing foam
that look like root beer floats.

Whether stirred with tiny white-caps,
or calm and smooth as glass,
don't matter what the weather,
I like to crouch and watch it pass.

A beaver lazily swims by,
then gives his tail a flick,
and dives down underwater
with his newly gnawed off stick.

Deer and coyote,
duck and hare
all come here to drink,
I come here to play around
or just to sit and think.

There's rocks to throw,
there's mud to squish,
-if I had a pole,
I'd fish-
There's frogs to catch,
boats to watch,
and lots of flies to swat.
There's plenty of cool water
For the days that get too hot.

Just listen to the way the leaves,
from trees along the shore,
crackle underneath my feet,
how could a kid need more?
Shh! And hear the cooing
of a dove up in that tree?
Yes I'm sure the river's edge
is the bestest place for me.

Copyright Jacquelyn Bytyqi 2012

Rockabye

Rockabye baby,
Rockabye blue,
Rockabye baby
All the night through~

Rockabye lashes
Fluttering oft,
Rockabye little lips
Pouting and soft~

Rockabye cheeks
All rosy and round,
Rockabye wand'ring dreams
floating around~

Rockabye tummy,
That tumbling affair,
Rockabye whisps
Of lightly curled hair~

Rockaby pudgy legs,
Tickley toes,
Rockabye fingers
And pink button nose~

Rockabye bunny,
Snuggle you tight,
Rockabye baby
And kiss you goodnight~

Copyright Jacquelyn Bytyqi 2012

Time

Oh let her stay little
A little bit longer,
Oh let her stay little,
My Love ~
Oh let her stay little
A little bit longer,
The babe of my bosom,
My Dove ~

My Valentinies

I have three Valentinies,
There’s Wise One,
Little Bird,
And Tippy Toes ~

Oh she’s into the cupboards; she’s into the drawers,
She scatters her cheerios over the floors,
Yes, she’s an explorer,
My sweet Tippy toes,
With her pink laughing cheeks
And her button nose ~
Tippy toes giggles
At ev-er-y-thing,
Her toys, a balloon,
When her big sister sings ~
I snuggle sweet Tippy Toes
Close to me each night,
She’s cuddly, tickly,
Sweet grin delight ~

And then there is Little Bird,
Fawn eyes round and dark,
She’s shy, gentle, quiet,
And soft as a lark,
But when we’re at home
She is silly as can be!
A hysterical giggle of cuteness, you see ~
She dances and jumps
And has Princess Dreams
And is just as strawberry sweet as she seems ~

Wise One’s a tumble
Of colors and words,
A bright blur of twirling skirts
And bouncing blonde curls ~
Always jumping or skipping,
She’s most likely to fall,
But when talking,
You’ll soon find
That she knows it all! ~
She’ll pause for a peck
Or a hug round the waist,
She loves her special treats
And must get a taste! ~

So you see each Valentiny
Is sweet in her own way,
And I’m so thankful to have
These three Valentinies
Here with me today! ~