181. Tyson the Bison

Thomas boy is my son.

He has a little bison.

His bison's name is Tyson.

He is a Bison bison.

I hope he won't eat ricin.

180. Hot Day

Sunny days

Make me hot

Can't see straight

Nodding off

179. ABC Scripture People

A is for Adam, naked and wise.

B is for Bathsheba, a sight for sore eyes.

C is for Coriantumr, he killed Shiz.

D is for Delilah, a hair-cutting wiz.

E is for Elisha, killed kids, six times seven.

F is for Father, He lives up in Heaven.

G is for Gad, a brother of Joseph.

H is for Hagar, she had it so rough.

I is for Isaac, not burnt to ash.

J is for Jephthah, whose vow was too rash.

K is for King Solomon, his head full of reasoning.

L is for Lot's Wife, now made of seasoning.

M is for Maher-shalal-hash-baz. 

N is for Naomi, with two daughter-in-laws.

O is for Orpah, unfortunate girl.

P is for Pacumeni, his reign was a whirl.

Q is for Queen Esther, she didn't eat.

R is for Rahab, who was rather discreet. 

S is for Satan, he creates fear.

T is for Teancum, he killed with a spear.

U is for Uzza, who steadied the Ark.

V is for Vashti, who did not hark.

W is for Widow, whom Elijah had seen.

X is for Xerxes, who got a new queen.

Y is for Young David, he threw a big rock.

Z is for Zacharias, who could not talk.

178. Boiling Bubbling

Boiling

Bubbling

All around

Spitting

Sputtering

Popping sound

Weeping

Wailing

Finally found

Sniffling

Snuffling

Baby hound

177. Clean Up

Clean and clean and clean and clean.

If I stop -- well, that'd be mean.

Clean and clean and clean and clean.

They'll get here tomorrow e'en.

Wash and wash and wash and wash.

If I stop -- my toes they'd squash.

Wash and wash and wash and wash.

They are coming. Oh my gosh. 

Shine and shine and shine and shine.

If I stop -- They'll be just fine.

Shine and shine and shine and shine.

Here they come. This family's mine.

176. Licking the Beaters

Mommy gave me chocolate sticks.

I helped her bake and stir and mix.

I put the chocolate in my mouth.

I spread it on me, north and south.

It's in my hair and up my nose.

It's on my fingers, on my toes. 

The chocolate's gone inside my ear; 

It makes it kind of hard to hear.

My tummy's clean. It's pink as rose,

Cause it was covered by my clothes.

175. My Roses are Pink

Roses are red.

My roses are pink.

My roses are pink and white and yellow and purple and red.

They cut and they bite

But they smell divine.

My roses are pink.

Are yours?

174. Lizzy at the Zoo

Lizzy saw a hippo

And a yellow cockatoo 

When Dad and Mommy packed the car

And took her to the zoo.

Lizzy saw a polar bear

And penguins swimming past

Then she saw the lions and 

The cheetahs running fast.

Lizzy saw the tigers 

and the swans primping away.

She saw the monkeys and the apes

And the playgrounds where they play.

Lizzy saw the otters 

and the beavers built a dam.

She saw the rhino and the fox,

The pony and the lamb.

Lizzy saw flamingos pink 

All standing on one leg.

She saw one peacock splay his tail,

One sit upon her egg.

Lizzy saw a zebra

And giraffes so very tall.

Lizzy waved to all her friends.

She said she loved them all.

Lizzy's now a grownup,

She now works at the zoo.

She works all day to keep her friends

As healthy as me and you.

173. Locked Out

It's six or ten hours later,

(I don't know when about),

But six or ten hours later,

I've found myself locked out.

Someone shut the bedroom door.

I don't know who it was.

With all the kids who ran around

My mind was all a buzz.

Seven children under twelve 

Was really quite a riot.

I should have been alert, you'd think,

To a time of sudden quiet.

I didn't notice anything.

They left without a roar.

But six or ten hours later

I can't open the door.

The lock is on the inside

As are all the hinges.

But I am on the outside.

Time for Netflix binges?

I tried to twist it open,

Tried to crack or pop the lock.

The lock just twirled itself around,

Much like a drying sock.

Of course my husband isn't home

And won't be for two days.

He's the one with all the wits

To get in different ways.

My next choice is on business,

In Australia of all places.

And so I phoned another man,

A friend with many graces.

He came from far to help me out.

I'd faith that he could do it.

So when he showed up at my door

I put him straightway to it.

Of course, how could another way

Be better than we reckoned?

He saw the door, pulled out a tool, 

And popped it in one second.

Well, I felt dumb, and so would you,

For failing at that task.

But that's the way that my life goes.

What can you do? Alas.

Now six or ten hours later,

(I really can't say when),

But six or ten hours later,

I finally can go in.

172. Help Me To See

Heavenly Father, help me to see

How you are always there for me.

Help me to know what is right.

Help me. Please guide me to the light.

Heavenly Father, help me to see

Why I have come to earth to be.

Help me to know what to do.

Help me. Please guide me straight and true.

Heavenly Father, help me to see

That you will always my father be.

Help me to know you love me.

Help me. Please guide me back to thee.

171. Rainstorm

Rather wet

A lot of rain comes down

Instructive

Nearly here

Sounds break my ears

Terrifying

Overcome 

Rain is Heaven's tears 

Majestic 

170. (Walkin') Alone

Walkin' walkin' walkin'

See that baby walkin'

See that baby walkin'

Alone

'Cross hardwood, tile, and carpet

Stumblin' over our pet

Thinkin' that he is number one.

There's nothin' he is missin' 

His dust, you'll all be kissin'

Watchin' as that baby walks alone

169. We Play In The Rain

The wipers go swish

When the rain comes down.

Umbrellas go up 

As we walk around town.

We splash and we splash.

The puddles are fun.

We jump and we skip.

We walk and we run.

The rain drips and drops.

It runs in our hair.

It whistles and plops

As it falls through the air.

The rain is our friend.

It sings us a song.

When rain comes our way,

We play all day long.

168. Bill is Coming

"Hunker down" was what they said

"Stock your shelves with cans and bread."

"Bill is coming, fierce and strong."

Bill is coming? They were wrong.

A little rain, no bursts of light.

Wind? Not enough to fly a kite.

No thunder broke, no flooded roads,

No dead fish floating, no homeless toads.

My shelves are stocked. But now I'm snoring.

"Bill is coming." Bill was boring.

167. 123 Dino

One foot, two feet,

Three plus more.

Long, long neck

Brontosaur.

One plate, Two plates,

Three plates, four.

Tail plates, back plates,

Stegosaur.

One horn, two horns,

Three on tops.

Fluted ridge, 

Triceratops.

One tooth, two teeth,

Three break necks.

Run and hide it's

Great T-Rex.

One wing, two wings

Three that fill.

Take to the air,

Pteradactyl.

166. ABC Myth

Atalanta ate apples

Bacchus brewed bubbly

Calypso captured crews

Demeter didn't die

Eris elicited emotion

Freya fought Frey

Gargoyles grimaced grotesquely

Hippocrates helped hope

Iris illuminated images

Jason just jumped

Kronos kicked kings

Laertes lost love

Medusa made monuments 

Narcissus needed nothing

Olympus obliterated outsiders

Perseus pushed Pegasus

Queens quit quilting

Rasputin reacted radically

Sirens sang soulfully

Tantalus trashed towns

Ursula united urchins

Viola vibrated violins

Wordsworth wore whiskers

Xanthippe xeroxed xylographs 

Yertle yelled youthfully 

Zeus zigzagged zealously

165. My Brother's on a Mission

My brother's on a mission.

I want to be like him.

My brother's on a mission.

He dresses neat and trim.

My brother's on a mission

In a land across the sea.

My brother's on a mission

Far from my family.

My brother's on a mission.

He teaches every day.

My brother's on a mission

He's told just what to say.

My brother's on a mission.

He's guided from above.

My brother's on a mission.

He serves the Lord with love.

My brother's on a mission.

He's doing what is right.

My brother's on a mission.

He leads men to the light.

My brother's on a mission.

He is an example to me.

When I go on a mission

The Lord's servant I will be.

164. This Place Is Such A Jungle

Crawling through the grass.

Can't get off my knees.

This place is such a jungle.

Look at all the trees.

Chatting with the bugs.

Wonder how they taste.

This place is such a jungle.

Look at all the waste.

Hearing engines roar.

Run from my foe.

This place is such a jungle.

Look at daddy mow.

163. Janey Goes To Australia

Janey wanted to go to Australia. There were koalas and dingos and wallabies and platypuses in Australia. But Janey especially wanted to see a kangaroo. 

"Can I go to Australia?" Janey asked Mama. 

"You can go wherever you want with your imagination," said Mama.

Janey didn't know what an imagination was, but she was glad she had one (Mama said she did) to go to Australia.

"If I'm going to Australia, I'll have to pack first." So she went into her bedroom and pulled out two dresses, a shirt, some shorts, a pair of pajamas, and some clean underwear. Then she went to her closet, found her backpack, and stuffed the clothes inside. 

She put her backpack on her back, grabbed her teddy bear, and walked into the kitchen where Mama was feeding the baby. 

"I need some food to take with me to Australia. What do kangaroos like to eat?" Janey asked. 

"Mostly grass," said Mama, "and roots and leaves."

"Yuck," Janey made a face. "I'll just take a sandwich." So she made a peanut butter sandwich and put it in her backpack with a bag of chips and a banana. 

"How do I get to Australia?" Janey asked after she put her shoes on.

"You can take an airplane or a boat. It takes a long time to get there. Australia is very far away. It's on the other side of the ocean. But you can get there any way you want with your imagination."

"Okay. I'm going to Australia now." Janey said. She waved goodbye to Mama and the baby and walked out the back door. 

Janey jumped onto her bicycle and started away. She rode for a long, long time. She rode over mountains and through prairies. She rode past dear and grizzly bears. She rode through cities and past farms. Finally, Janey reached the ocean.

Janey found a boat that said Australia on it and got on. She decided to watch from the deck as they sailed away from the shore. She sailed for a long, long time. She sailed over waves and around islands. She sailed past whales and dolphins. She sailed through a storm and into the sun. Finally she reached Australia. 

Janey thanked the captain for giving her a ride and jumped off the boat to explore Australia. Janey walked all over Australia. She walked through the desert and over beaches. She walked past echidnas and platypuses. She petted koalas and dingos. 

After a long time, Janey found a kangaroo. "Hello, kangaroo," Janey said. "May I eat with you?"

The kangaroo was very polite an offered Janey some of his grass. 

"No, thank you," she said. "I brought my own food." She pulled out her sandwich and chips and banana and talked with the kangaroo until they both were too tired to stay awake.

Janey dreamed about Mama and the baby. She dreamed about playing tag and dressing up. She dreamed about her house and all the dolls in her bed.

When Janey woke up she decided it was time to go home. She waved goodbye to the kangaroo and walked until she could see the ocean again. She saw a plane that said America on it and she got on. 

She watched out the window as the plane took off. She flew for a long, long time. She flew up into the sky. She flew in the air and through the clouds. She flew past blue birds and eagles and doves. She flew over a rainbow and under the sun. 

When the plane landed, Janey thanked the pilot and hopped off. She found her bike and pedaled home as fast as she could.

When she got home, she ran through the back door. She ran past her toys and she ran past her dolls. She ran past the kitchen table and her pet fish. She ran past the baby and into Mama's arms.

"I went to Australia, Mama," Janey said. "I was gone a long, long time. Australia is really far away."

"With your imagination, you can go anywhere you want," Mama said. 

Janey still didn't know what an imagination was, but she was glad she had one. Janey hugged Mama one more time and said "Tomorrow, I want to go to Japan."

162. Dear Mom

Dear Mom who is having a horrible day:

We've been there. 

We've done that. 

It will eventually be okay.

Dear Mom who got to the grocery store:

Your kids are fed.

They're happy, too.

Some days you can't do more

Dear Mom who locked her keys in the car:

You took your kids 

to play or learn. 

Because of you, they'll go far.

Dear Mom who made that awesome cake: 

You have talent.

You're wonderful.

Can you teach me how to bake?

Dear Mom who fished a Barbie from the toilet:

To your daughter

You're a hero

Even if your face turned scarlet.

Dear Mom who feeds her kids organic kale:

Good job giving

Your kids healthy lives.

Don't let anyone tell you you'll fail.

Dear Mom who stepped on a toy and yelled:

Just think of all

The other words

You could have said but held.

Dear Mom who is at every PTA meeting:

Your time is spent

Helping your kids.

Their time as youth is fleeting.

Dear Mom who wasn't watching when your kid fell off his bike:

You cannot see 

All at once.

Don't beat yourself up. He's alright.

Dear Mom who gets hugs every night before bed:

Your child loves you.

That gift is the best.

Know it in your heart and head.

Dear Mom who's struggling to keep a smile:

God knows your trials

He's watching you.

He's with you all the while.

161. My Kangaroo

Today at half past two

I hit a kangaroo

My knees were scrunched

My car was crunched

He smelled a bit like poo.

He looked at me and glared

I looked right back and stared.

He kicked my car

It didn't go far

But I was pretty scared.

"Whatcha doin,' mate?"

He said to me right straight.

"I'm walking here,

So learn to steer,

Or stay behind the gate."

I couldn't lift my jaw

For what I heard and saw.

A talking roo:

Absurd, but true.

I let out a guffaw.

And to this day, I swear,

When I go anywhere,

He waits for me.

I hope I'll see

My kangaroo standing there.

160. Flat

I sit on the plane, trying to ignore the growing pressure in my ears as we descend. I look at my watch. Our landing time is approaching. I should have exactly 70 minutes between when my plane sets down and when my husband's takes off. In the last week we've spent an hour together because of our various trips, and now we get one more hour before he leaves for another week. But we're on our way down. Looking at my watch won't make us land faster, so I go back to my book.

Two pages later we bump into the ground. I'm pleased. I'm not a huge fan of flying and this descent and landing has been exceptionally smooth. I look at my watch again. We've landed four minutes ahead of schedule. 74 minutes. The clock in my mind has begun to tick. I text my husband to let him know and he tells me he's waiting at my gate. I return to my book. It will still be a few minutes of taxiing and then readying ourselves to deplane. 

Far sooner than I expect, we stop. I assume it's just a small delay, but we keep waiting. The other passengers begin unbuckling themselves, getting ready to deplane, but the pilot comes over the speaker asking that we remain seated and belted. I look at my watch again. 69 minutes. I struggle to keep interested in the affairs of Elinor and Marianne. 

Again the pilot comes on the speaker. We are unable to make it to our gate just now. Sit tight and we should get there in 5-10 minutes. 63 minutes.

57 minutes and again the speaker is on. We have two flat tires, so we can't move. The repair crews will be here shortly to fix it. Don't worry, folks, we'll be at the gate in no time. The couple next to me laughs and pulls out a packet of strong-smelling cheese crackers with peanut butter filling. Another minute and my husband calls. I explain what we know and tell him we should get there soon. 54 minutes. I'm frustrated at the time that has been wasted, but I try to ignore the tears forming in my eyes. I brush them away and try to focus again on the words on my page. 

We hear what sounds like five giant saws cutting into the hill of the plane. They've begun to change the tires, we assume. The couple jokes about the size of a jack big enough to hoist a plane.

39 minutes. The pilot again. It seems they can't simply change the tire. They're going to order the stairs and buses and have them over soon. I call my husband to give him the latest update. He can see us from the gate window. The mechanics have left and we sit alone on the tarmac. He asks the gate agent where the buses will drop us off and goes to meet us. 

35 minutes and the buses have arrived. We all unbuckle but the pilot tells us that they're going to unload the wheelchair passengers first. I'm usually all for helping the elderly and infirm, but this is not a quick process. I am anxious about missing my husband at this point. How much more logical would it be to have the able-bodied unload and fill the first bus. Those of us with connecting flights, for instance, or a relative waiting to pick us up. But no, they decide for the politically correct answer and help the handicapped. Or at least, they try. 

We are down to 22 minutes and not a single person has left the plane. My husband cannot wait at my gate any longer. He leaves my terminal and heads for the tram and then on to his own terminal. We can only hope now that I am able to make it off the plane, through my terminal, onto the tram, through his terminal, and to his gate in time. He will wait until every other passenger has boarded before he gets on.

20 minutes and they change their mind. Wheelchair passengers will get off last. I know I am not the only person cheering inside. The passengers in the rows in front of me stand and gather their luggage. We are off in another minute and I make sure to find a spot in the very front of the bus. I am right next to the door. 

I can see the airplane tires. They are not simply flat. They are shredded.

18 minutes and the close. We lurch forward and I breathe a sigh of relief. But then we go no more than 50 yards before we stop. Our driver speaks to a man in an airport operations vehicle. I am checking my watch constantly. 16 minutes we lurch forward again. I watch out the front window as we go around the terminal and stop again in the middle of the painted roadway. Another operations vehicle parks in front of our bus. A second one drives up alongside us. They chat again. I suppose they do not know where to take us. 14. 13. 12. 11. 10. They pull apart two luggage carts between us and the building. One of the operations drivers steps walks toward the doors. They open. We are free. We follow the driver to the building where he slides his ID through the reader and the door clicks. Only two men are in front of me, the rest amble slowly behind, dragging rollerbags and clunky cartons. I have only a small backpack. The driver stays at the door but directs us up the stairs. 

The Australian man next to me hopes that his plane has not left without him. The man behind him needs the toilet. I say nothing. 

As soon as the Australian opens the door I am through it. I look at the gate sign above me. A20. Nearly two-thirds of the was down the terminal. My speed quickens. I have 8 minutes before my husband's plane is due to leave. I follow the signs for the tram. My husband calls and tells me his gate number, asks where I am. 

It was foolish of me to wear heels, but I had not forseen the need to run through the airport when I packed only one pair of shoes.

I race to the tram, climb the escalator, and run towards the little train but the doors close before I reach them. As it rolls away, the sign above the door reads "next train 110 seconds." I have less than  5 minutes. In tears, I pace the little space before the doors, constantly checking the flashing sign. 90 seconds. 75. 60. These seconds are precious. 15 seconds. Finally it arrives and I am on. We reach terminal B. My husband calls again. I am only one stop away. They have called the last boarding group but not announced final boarding. The tram slows and I am by the door. They open too slowly. I have 1 minute until his scheduled departure.  I ran, as much as I can toward his gate. C34, and the tram drops me off well before C1. 

The time has come and passed and yet I keep going. Finally the little sign appears. C34. And there is my husband. I fly into his arms and he hugs me tightly. The gate attendants are busy with another passenger. Another man comes running up behind me, and up to the gate. We are together for 3 minutes before the gate guard says they will close the door in 40 seconds. I watch as my husband hands his boarding pass to the attendant and then disappears through the gangway door, waving as he goes. 

I sit down and cry again, releasing the stress, anxiety, and apprehension about the coming week. Then I stand and head for the parking garage to find my car. Our children need me at home.

159. Two Little Monkeys

Two little monkeys splashing in the tub

One called Sweets and one called Bub.

Momma said "don't drink it or you won't get grub."

Sweets drinks the water. Glub. Glub. Glub.

Two little monkeys toweled off and dried.

Sweets laughed and giggled. Bub just cried.

Mamma said "stop crying, please. My brain is fried."

Sweets builds a tower and glows with pride.

Two little monkeys tucked in bed.

Dreaming of playing in fields of red.

Mamma is so tired she could be dead.

But she looks to the morning and the day ahead.

158. Set Them Free

I grew up here.

This place was home.

They chased me out,

The sand to roam.

But now I'm back.

I'm here to see

If he will deign 

To set them free.

At last you're home.

I've missed you so.

My little brother

Your face I know.

But who's the man

You've come to be?

Why do you ask

To set them free?

The Lord hast sent 

me here to you.

There is a task

That I must do.

Please brother, dear,

Listen to me.

The Lord wants you

To set them free.

How dare you ask

This crazy thing?

You slap my face 

And leave a sting.

How dare you call

Us family?

And then ask me

To set them free?

Brother, please

I cannot tell

How much my heart

Will truly swell

With joy and pleasure

Gratefully

If you could think

To set them free.

Arrogant and 

Simple fool.

You think I'd give 

My greatest tool?

My empire grows.

Cannot you see

The damage if

I set them free?

I do not want 

My home destroyed.

But you won't hear

From God's employed.

His deadly plagues

I bring with me

Unless you choose

To set them free.

Do what you can

We're stronger still.

You cannot bend 

or break my will.

For I will not

Give in to thee.

You cannot make 

Me set them free.

Before you kill

Your people strong,

Just admit

That you were wrong.

Let them go,

I beg of thee.

You only have

To set them free.

There is nothing

You can do.

No plague can kill,

No storm can brew.

Not anything

You do to me

Will change my mind

To set them free.

I'm sorry, brother,

For the loss.

That you'll have at

This last plague's cross.

I tried to warn you

Urgently.

But you refused 

To set them free.

Go. Be gone.

You've won at last.

Go and take them,

First and last.

You are no more

My family.

Take your people.

I set them free.

Come, my friends,

Let's leave this place.

Another land

For us awaits.

The Lord delivered 

You to me.

Praise the Lord.

He set them free.

157. The Prince - Denise Rests cont.

"I have never heard you speak of your family," I say at length. "You know who mine are but I haven't the slightest idea of yours. Are they near? May I meet them? Do you have sisters? Brothers?"

She shakes her head. "All I have now are Madame, Muriel, and Denise. Mother died when I was young. And Father," she pauses and I understand. 

She must have loved him. She seems to love everyone. And I only love her more for it. I see the pain in her eyes as she tries to form the words and I want to ease that pain. I don't want her to have to say the words. "I'm sorry," I interject. "It must be hard to be alone. But at least you have your mistresses," I offer.

She laughs a sad laugh. "Yes, Denise and Muriel are the only sisters I've ever known."

"You must all be a comfort to one another. Like you, they have lost a father."

She gives me a strange look and I don't know quite what to make of it. "Sire," she begins but I halt her words and our progress. I cannot bear this formality from her when we have enjoyed such open discourse.

"Please, Ella, will you call me Edmond? You are my equal or my better in all things. To you I do not wish to be the prince. To you I only want to be me."

She smiles her beautiful little smile and asks, "won't the queen object to such informality? I understand she holds very dearly to decorum." 

"Among the court, yes," I respond. "But with family and a small circle of friends she is quite candid and amiable."

She laughs at me again and the sound thrills me. It is not reserved or stifled. This is what I love in her. "I cannot pretend to fall into either of those categories," she pauses ever so slightly, "Edmond." What relief to hear my name from her lips. "I have never met the queen and any relation we have I'm afraid is too distant to consider us as close."

"Perhaps that may be." Do I dare continue? I want to say what is in my heart. I want her to be a part of that circle. I want her to know of the deep regard and love that she has stirred in me in these few short days. But is it too much? Will she run again? She has not yet and she knows who I am now. I take my chance. "But that need not always be the case. I would like for you to meet her. I would like for you to be a friend to her."

I hold my breath as I wait for her response. Have I asked too much of her too soon?

"I think," her voices catches before she continues, "I would like that, too."

I am sure she notices me releasing my breath. I do not hide my relief very well. Her shy little smile has returned. I never want it to leave. I want to see her smile always. This smile, I would do anything for.

156. The Prince - Denise rests

"How long do you think it will be until your mistress arrives? Would you like to wait for her here?" I ask, holding the door open for Ella. She follows me through and I shut it quietly behind us. Lady Denise is settled and resting quietly again. 

"She should have received your note by now. I suppose she will arrive shortly. It is not a long journey from the estate." She says softly and I am again amazed and the quiet gentility in her voice. "May we walk about for a while? It has been a while since I left the estate, excepting the last three nights."

"Of course," I reply and extend my arm to her. She reaches hesitantly before putting her hands together in front of her. "What's wrong?" I ask. I am curious. We have spent three evenings in each other's arms, and now she shies at contact? I wonder vaguely if I have got blood on my tunic, but I see nothing.

"Sire," she hesitates again and looks up at me. Is she confused? Concerned? I can't quite tell. "Should you be seen walking about with a maidservant? Aren't you to be married to a great lady soon? Even we of the scullery hear the rumors."

I let out my relieve in a laugh. I take her hand into my arm and we walk together, our steps falling into a natural rhythm. "The Lady Gianette will probably be cross when she hears, yes. But she has no claim to me, in my heart or on paper.  She hopes and, I dare say, expects to be queen. But it will not happen. Since the day she was born, her parents have been pushing for our marriage. But it won't happen."

We fall into silence as we walk. I wonder at this girl beside me. How does a maidservant learn so much of the world that she can easily converse with a prince? How can she speak of wars and plagues and politics with her background? I do not even know her background. 

...

155. When You Have to Urinate

When babies have to urinate

They don't really care.

They make a face and smile at you

And go on you right there.

When toddlers have to urinate

It's either death or joy.

For if they make it: "Yay! Success!"

And if they don't? "Oh boy."

When young kids have to urinate

The deed is rather plain.

It's just another part of life.

It happens, sun or rain.

When preteens have to urinate

Things get a little weird.

Their bodies start to do some things

They always kind of feared.

When teen boys have to urinate

It becomes quite a hoot.

They laugh and joke and play around.

They get some in their boot.

When teen girls have to urinate

They go in threes and fours

And though it is embarrassing

They still talk through the doors.

When daddy's have to urinate

They disappear too long.

And on return they find the kids

Have put on their clothes wrong.

When mommy's have to urinate

They try to get away.

The kids still pester, yell, and bang.

They always find a way.

154. Daisies

Daisies are white

Daffodils are yellow

I miss my husband

He's a good fellow

153. Walking Far

You take a step and then fall down

Your padded bum goes bump.

Your sister runs by screaming.

You give a little jump.

You push yourself back up again

And try to move your foot.

You fall once more. You hate this game.

You're finished. Done. Caput.

But mommy puts her hands 'round you.

You snuggle to her face.

And then she sets you on your feet

And leaves you in your place.

"Come on," she coos and backs away.

You see her cheerful grin.

You want to try just one more time.

You know that you can win.

At last you take a little step.

Your legs are holding strong.

You try again, the other foot,

You can do no wrong.

Then off you fly to mommy's arms

They reach out for your hand.

And you go racing to her hug.

You've made it. You still stand.

You won. You walked. You're mighty now.

You're mommy's little star.

And now that you're a walking kid,

You are going far.

152. My Red Ball

My red ball is my favorite toy.

I throw it and it gives me joy.

I roll it on the dirty ground.

I chase it going round and round.

My daddy will play catch with me.

He throws it and I catch. Yippee.

The fun I have can never end.

My little ball is my best friend.