the best seats in the house

the best seats in the house

there are times
no words can be spoken
for they fear they will drown
in the tears that will come

there are times
no words will be held back
despite fear they will drown
in the tears that will come

there were times
i sat still and listened
on the steps to the basement
for their joy and laughter

there were times
i sat still and listened
on the steps by their rooms
for the sounds of their dreams

there were times
i sat still and listened
on the steps of the porch
children ran up and down

there were times
we sat talking through tears
on these steps in our homes
as hearts broke in my arms

there were times
i sat along sobbing
as these steps in our homes
held me close in their arms

there were times
in our lives together
these steps in our homes were
the best seats in the house