Color pencils, sheets of paper

covering the dining rooms table

which had once been set with the finest of china.

The excitement and mirth linger

filling the house with a spirit of joy.

The realities of adulthood

begin to seep in, pushing away the joy.

The pressure begins to surmount the fun.

A slight push back, a plea

an expanded duration of the innocence,

an expanded duration of the smiles.

The joy continues until the time comes,

dinner must be served,

although on paper instead of china.

***