DRAGON’S TIMEOUT

By Debbie
 

It isn’t fair. It isn’t right!

I’m stuck inside my cave all night.

I’ve been assigned a bunch of chores,

like “dust the gold” and “smoke the floors.”

While all my friends play Flight and Seek,

I’ll be shining gems all week.

I only broke one measly rule.

(I launched a flame ball after school.)

But what’s a dragon meant to do,

if not to blow a flame or two?

Okay, a TEENSY town got fried.

It’s not like anybody died!

 

THE WITCH'S BACK YARD

By Debbie

 

My neighbor next door was a genuine witch.

The signs were all there - she was creepy and rich.
Plus, sometimes at night, I’d hear, “Ala-ka-POOF!”
while colorful smoke trickled out through her roof.  

Her fence in the back was, like, twenty feet tall.
No way to see over or peek in at all.
But her backyard was HUGE and it had to be cool.
So one day, I whipped up a plan after school.

That very same evening, I crept to the fence.
I started to saw, feeling shaky and tense.

The hole was now cut. Just one thing left to do.
I punched out the wood and skedaddled on through…

There were mazes of pathways through strange, glowing trees,
sharp, pointy flowers that danced with no breeze,
Statues of snakes that blew fire and hissed,
fountains that poured out bizarre plumes of mist.

“Hello,” came a voice. Then I melted like slime.
(The witch had been watching the whole stinking time!)
She flew from her window, increasing my stress.
“Are you fond of my garden?” she growled.  I said, “yes.”
“You can come as you please for a price. He he he.”
Oh great, evil laughter. I’d never be free!
Then she lifted a dagger-like tool made of steel…

“If you weed my tomatoes, we'll make it a deal.”

 

ALPHABET HORSEPLAY
By Debbie

A horrible BLOOP! thing is happening BLEEP!

I can’t seem to focus. At night I can’t sleep.

I’m constantly worried I’ll happen BLING! BLING!

to say something wrong and a loud sound will ring.

I can’t figure out why or how BOOBLE BOP!

It’s driving me crazy! It just needs to stop!

See? Just right there, nothing happened BAZOOKA!

Now there it is. What the heck? BOOLA-BOOKA!

 

My alphabet pals are all logophile nerds.

They love to play pranks, always messing with words.

But I’m neutral “N.” I’m as nice as can be.  

Why would a letter hate BWAH-HA-HA! me?

I have BOINGY-BOING! a suspicion or two.

Some letters are nasty, which might be a clue.

“K” steals my thunder in “know,” “knight,” and “knot.”

She’s high BANG! and mighty (and sort of a snot).

Or “G”! He BADOINK! is a fine piece of work  

in gnarly and gnawing and gnome (What a jerk).

 

Alright, well it might have BOOM! BOOMY! to do

with a TOTALLY innocent party I threw.  

I left out some letters on “W”’s birthday.

And hung “BONG!” a sign that announced, “Snappy Earthday!”

Come on, “H” and “B.” It was funny, not evil.

Don’t gang up together to cause an upheaval.   

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It was only a joke. Even “W” laughed.

I hope BAM! to put this hurt BONK! in the past.

 

You win guys, I’m sorry. I’ll say it, okay?

Happy birthday to all! Happy birthday! Hooray!

Wait, nothing happened. We’re cool now? I’m free?

Thank you! I vow to be nicer. You’ll see!

 

And now back to why “G” and “K” are the worst.

They’re greedy KA-CHING! Oh great. “KLUNK!” I’m cursed.  

You’ve gotta KA-POW! Oh for goodness KERPLINK!

Really you guys?  KIT-KABOOM! You both stink.

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VACATION FOR MOM

By Debbie

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Vacation for Mom?

Hallelujah, let’s go!

Do I feel guilty?

The answer’s HECK NO.

I’m packing my suitcase.

I’m counting down days.

I going ALONE.

My family stays.

Okay that sounds awful,

but really, I’m good.

I’m told to enjoy this -

I totally should.

I’ll be gone tomorrow

So here’s one more hug.

Don’t tell me you’ll miss me,

I’ll miss you too – ugh.

I’m really not sorry.

You’re going to be fine.

Those sad eyes don’t faze me.

Don’t whimper or whine.

Now here comes a kiss

on your wee little cheek.

I won’t be gone long.

Shoot, it’s less than a week!

Oh dears, don’t start crying.

Now I’m crying –Great!

You guys, it’s a GOOD THING

when moms take a break!

…but if my plane crashed

And I never returned,

You’d all grow up orphans…

but I’m not concerned!

Farewell Darling Children.

Be good and don’t fight.

Just listen to Daddy.

I love you. Good night.

I’m feeling a sliver

of angst, I confess.

Vacation for Mom?

If I have to, I guess…

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