You have too many!

Too many to count!

Where did your bed go?

What happened to your room?

That's all I ever hear.

Hear from my family.

They say I have too many,

But nobody can have too many friends.

My stuffed animals are a part of me.

Like a petal is a part of a flower.

Taking it away would leave an empty space,

But leaving it there will make it complete.

From Dogs to cats,

Bears to rats,

Hedgehogs to bats,

And even beavers and rabbits with hats.

I am always adding to my collection.

Adding different things.

From small to large, brown to pink

They all are special to me.

You may find them snoozing on my bed,

Or maybe snooping under my bed.

Or maybe catching the sun on the window sill,

Or just taking up space on the floor.

They keep me warm and protect me at night,

And defend me against evil brothers.

And knowing that they are all there,

Gives me relief before I go to bed.

I'll never be able to get rid of them,

But I will pass them on to my kids,

To enjoy them as much as I did.

Caroline Matus
 ©  April 1997