Betsy Bailey

Step down once – be careful! – from the shady porch to
The sun deck.
It’s a small step, but you’ll hurt yourself, they told him, if you’re not expecting it so
Mind the edge.
He doesn’t mind the edge at all! He’s a compact bundle of bright energy; the way we are when
We are four,
Our brains and bodies busy full-stop, clever scientists, as is appropriate but still makes
Moms nervous.
His current research project straddles the step, two wobbly legs on the porch and two on the patio. He
Makes a slope
With the cheap plastic chair, then scrambles onto its slippery seat and tips forward.
Feel the rush!
Mom kills joy. No joy; she fears a blooming purple kiss (which would actually feel like a whack in the head).
“Stop!” she shouts.
He startles but lands on his feet with a hop. He’s just fine after this flirt with physics
And concrete,
So she tries to eat dinner and politely converse and keep an eye on him all at
The same time.
Then the chair clatters, upended. The boy frowns, stubborn. Mom didn’t see but knows he pushed it over
On purpose.
He runs and he shrieks in abandoned delight. He roars so happy like a lion but probably like a
Dinosaur.
Dad says, “Seems like this is a stage.” He says it capital-S-stage; something that is a big deal and it is
Exhausting.
The boy has pincers plucking his sisters like he’s a crab but probably like
A T-Rex.
Sisters squeal and fuss. They are annoyed and anyway that
Was the point.
Dad says, “This stage might last until he’s five. Or so.”
And mom huffs
Out a small laugh that is more weariness and some amusement. ”Or so….” she fades. The sun slants
As it sets.
Teens titter and the little boy shrieks some more and then he
Wants a hug.

She stakes her claim.

If I Were in Charge of the World
by HM, age 10 (inspired by Judith Viorst)

If I were in charge of the world,
I'd cancel Mondays,
I'd cancel work,
And all those chores.

If I were in charge of the world,
There'd be everything but hot dogs,
No hot dog buns,
And a fee if you touched a hot dog.

If I were in charge of the world,
You wouldn't have to wake up for school,
School buses would be illegal,
And there would be no homework,
You wouldn't even have school.

If I were in charge of the world,
People wouldn't need cars, because of flying cars,
Money would be made everywhere,
And people wouldn't have to pay taxes.

And a person who sometimes forgot to take a bath,
Or sometimes forgot to do their math,
Would still be allowed to be
In charge of the world.

Read and post comments