Could We Walk a Little Slower

Can we freeze this precious moment?
Your smile is oh so wide,
With all those missing teeth,
And the way you tilt your head,
It makes me want to laugh out loud
With joy I can’t describe.

There’ll be time enough for frowning
And braces on your teeth,
So let’s freeze this precious moment,
Before it’s in the past.

Might we slow time, just a little?
Because you’re oh so short,
And when you walk it’s like
Your legs are faster than your feet.
You always run from place to place,
Your excitement at its peak.

In time you’ll be taller
Than I can ever be
And you’ll stride and march
Without a falter, in earnest concentration.

So let’s slow time, just a little,
So I can watch you toddle more.

Could we walk a little slower
To the park this afternoon?
And hug a little longer
On the steps outside the school?
And laugh a little louder
At nothing much at all?

Soon you’ll have your friends,
And I’ll have to keep my distance.
Your space will be important
And Dads just won’t be cool.

So let’s walk a little slower
And try to make this last
Because, you see, the problem is
You’re growing up too fast.