A LITANY TO ALYSSA

                                       on the Transition to Three

                                                          

                                               At last, it’s time

                                         We can all breathe free

                                          Alyssa’s turned three.

 

Was she a “terrible two?”

She’s probably like me and like you.

Determined to

Have her own way

 

Now that she’s three

will she need less attention?

“Stop, look and listen to me.”

 

ON THIS TRIP, WHO WILL TAKE ALYSSA WITH THEM?

 

When she had our attention what did she do?

How many things can a two-year-old do?

 

With two sisters to teach her

Throw toys

Smear chocolate

Hit boys

Girls, dogs and anyone else

Spill drinks

Talk a blue streak

Drip bottles on the floor

Empty trash cans and table drawers

Harass Kaylee,

Demand candy

And climb a tree --

 

Two hands, better than one;

Putting Papa on the run

By hanging and screaming,

“Come and get me!”

 

OH, WE’LL TAKE HANNAH WITH US!

 

Everyday’s adventure is

A test of you and what’s new

It’s all new at two,

Just try it and see --

Society’s expectations

Will be met

Later, alligator.

 

EMILY CAN COME WITH US!

 

“Three” must be here

She’s snuggling and reading,

Swimming and diving,                          

She cleaned a mess

And apologized

“I’m sorry I broke your doll.”                        

There is hope for us all.

 

WE’LL TAKE EMILY AND HANNAH WITH US

 

Was she naughty enough to be a good two,

Or just adequate?                                

A real handful

Or an angelic armful? 

You call it. 

For me she was terrible at being a two.

 

SO HAND HER TO ME --

 

fun it will be 

to see her through three.

 

ALYSSA IS COMING WITH ME!.

 

Dennis R. Keefe

January 7, 2004

March 25, 2023