(This poem is dedicated to my four daughters, who range in age from fourteen to nineteen, at the time this was written. I have two boys after them, but it seems that all they ever want to take is what’s mentioned in the first three lines.)

They walk out with my glue stick,
My scotch tape, my gum
Small change from my purse
("I asked; you said 'ummm...'")
My sweatshirts and stockings,
My blouses and socks;
My head scarves appear
On their long flowing locks

My mascaras are stuffed
In their purses and pockets
Along with my bracelets,
My earrings and lockets

My eye shadow lives
In the shadowy past
I've finally discovered
Why the colors don't last

My blueberry muffins
(Baked just for my diet)
My Judy Collins tape
(Can't they go out and buy it?)

My new calculator
My wide-brimmed white hat
My favorite sheets
and my old bamboo mat

My pool bag and thongs
My scissors and rings
My soft leather backpack
My favorite things

They walk off in my shoes
And my special silk blouse
They walk out in my perfume
As they're leaving the house

"There's nothing we need,"
They've told me before
But it seems, when I've got it,
It means so much more.

But they're beautiful, funny,
Loving and smart
And when they walk out that door
They walk out with my heart.