Spun Sugar Dreams

Spun Sugar Dreams

County fair, laughing little girl of four,
Pigtails flying, big brown eyes open wide:
She sees it all skipping by her mother’s side.
Pink silk? It’s called cotton candy and Mama hands it to her.
It’s so sweet. She takes another bite.
“Oh, Mama, it melts so fast. I can’t make it last.”
“Of course not, dear. It’s just a spun sugar dream."

Little girl of ten--
She and Amy everywhere together,
Dress up clothes and a boa of feathers,
Secrets, sleepovers. Let’s play pretend
and be sisters.
They take a vow and in their innocence believe;
But Amy moved away.
Forever friends is a spun sugar dream.

Pretty and petite, vivacious miss of seventeen,
Cheerleader, parties, games and prom--
So excited cause she’s going with Tom.
Beautiful gown, dancing, dinner by candlelight,
They’re a popular pair. Tom decides on a moonlight drive.
They quarrel over sex and Tom turns to Sue.
Young and naive, undying love is a spun sugar dream.

Young woman of nineteen
Gone to college and on her own.
People don’t have all the answers just because they’re full grown.
Finances, worries, so much she’d like to ask her dad;
But Dad left long ago.
He had other things to do.
Sometimes ‘til death do you part is a spun sugar dream.

A woman of thirty--
She’s a wife and a mom of two.
“Mom, I wish I could ask you---"
So much to do, so much to know---
Mama’s life tragically cut short when she became ill.
“I’ll always be here for you,” is a spun sugar dream.

Happy granny almost fifty,
Time has flown by fast.
She’s had time to herself at last.
Now she looks forward to family visits and the grandkids,
Making cookies, picnics in the park.
Bill is a big city lawyer,
And Becky’s husband says they have to move.
Sunday dinners and happy holidays are a spun sugar dream.

Devoted wife nearly sixty
Married to a wonderful man.
They have their dreams and a plan.
One day he would retire:
There’s money enough, and they would travel,
But Ronnie died, and her health is failing.
Paris, Rome, exotic places, all just a spun sugar dream.

Woman Alone at the end of her journey,
Everyone gone, along with the plans.
Her time to meet her maker is nearly at hand.
She’s lived her life and lived it her best.
She’s tired and weary, ready to go.
She’s come to one conclusion;
Life may have it’s illusions,
But there is sweetness to the taste,
And it's worth her spun sugar dreams.