Mother's Daydream

The last time I cleaned, I was thinking about
What life would be like if they ever "grow out"
Of these allergies, asthma, eczema
And hives, and start to live normal, predictable lives.
What I’d cook for dinner: it would always contain
Milk, eggs and cheese, tomatoes and grain;
Pizza for lunch, with fat mushrooms on top -
I can taste that right now - I think of it a lot!
I’d dry laundry outside in sweet, pollen-filled air
And open my windows - forget filtered air!
Sleep in down, and wear wool, and have rugs on the floors;
We’d have pet dogs and kittens living indoors.
Where the dust might be settled, the plants would be lush,
And life, just perhaps, would be less of a rush.
We’d have fun riding ponies and eating ice cream
At the school festival and the park near the stream
Where we’d win teddy bears, huge stuffed toys to take home,
Without mother insisting while the children groan.
When you met me, you’d notice I smell of perfume
And not vinegar water, which now scents the rooms.
Now please understand that I do love the kids
With their wheezes and noses and pharmacy bills
But I dream, oh, I dream what would our life be
If I never had heard of the word "allergy."

--Betsy Koch
Allentown, PA

Reprinted from A Parent’s Guide to Asthma by Nancy Sander.