a mocha hue of dung-y mud
daubs straw beneath his feet
beside pig pen
so fast, I have no chance to swoop him up
before he stomps right in it, then steps back out
minus left shoe
and hubs is with the older kids
spinning rides so high, cheap thrills
that burn deep holes in pants
money set aside and saved
for this big day each year,
South Texas Fair
a helper hoses off the sludge
while I try to hide my smile,
the moral learned without my words
hopefully
**
Prompt Inspiration:
Poetry Jam~ Festivals
PU Mid-Week Motif~ Children
3WW~ burn, hue, moral
ARCHIVES.....FIRST DRAFTS.....
ha. we have been there...and done that...though i am not sure a helper was there to wash off...and did you hide the smile at the lesson....ha...love it when i have to say nothing....smiles.
ReplyDeleteNot being used to children, this immediately prepared my ears for the piercing scream of the one whose shoe got stuck... *smile* Chaotic affair, a festival with kids! Very well described (I could feel it)!
ReplyDelete"the moral learned without my words"
ReplyDeleteand isn't that delightful to a mom?
:) love this piece..
Dilemma averted! Motherhood amazes me with its instant decisions and teaching moments. She didn't scream and she didn't laugh! That child will never be timid. And we get this marvelous Laurie poem.
ReplyDeleteI empathize. I have stepped on 'stuff' myself. Not a pleasant experience...and no helpers in evidence. Smiles.
ReplyDeleteLaurie,
ReplyDeleteGreat memories captured in this adventure. It would stay and stick in memory as a talking subject, years afterwards!!!
Eileen
Delightful memories in this
ReplyDelete'Minus left shoe'- the rest is left to our imagination. Your poem made me smile.
ReplyDeleteI can taste this, really vivid alive poem. Excellent.
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ReplyDeleteOh my, only last Sunday morning I was scraping dog poop off a toddler's shoe.....this poem made me smile!! Love it.
ReplyDeleteThe lessons of life; the lessons we learn also from children :)
ReplyDeletesorry for laughing. This is so typical of kids who like to explore.
ReplyDeleteDid you happen to snap a picture to show him years from now?
What a cute story! Loved reading this!
ReplyDeleteChildren are great explorers and go where others fear to tread!
ReplyDeleteI guess some lessons require no words. Those are probably the best ones.
ReplyDeleteOh those childhood lessons – they do bring a smile of recollection. Children keep us humble, I think.
ReplyDeleteA vivid and tender recreation! Made me smile.
ReplyDeleteWell done, Laurie!
ReplyDeleteSweet. A delightful read. :-)
ReplyDelete-HA
Yes..i was smiling too..sometimes you have to wade through a little of the brown stuff to find the good things in life!
ReplyDeleteA smile made here, been there and you think what can you say in that moment.
ReplyDeleteWe hope they learn, anyway Laurie. What a wonderful vignette, beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day Laurie. This is the poem of a true mom.
ReplyDeleteHaha...made me smile :)
ReplyDeleteMoral learnt! It's one of those things when growing up! Great write Laurie!
ReplyDeleteHank
That is quite a dilemma but hopefully everyone had fun nevertheless ~ Hope you are well Laurie ~
ReplyDeleteMothers can (and do) truly do it all!
ReplyDeleteTexas Fairs..I am a huge fan of them and I too learnt a lesson in one of those fairs..beautiful Laurie:)
ReplyDeleteA great story...I'm just glad there was a helper. Sometimes lessons learned the hard way stay with us a while. Happy Mother's Day, Laurie.
ReplyDeleteSteve K.
Beautifully penned. :)
ReplyDeleteOuch! I as a child have gone through the same experience, but in a real farm. I couldn't help but smile... Well written, Laurie.
ReplyDelete