Friday, June 12, 2009

Singing in the Rain . . .

I'm singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin',
Singin' in the rain!
(Lyrics by:Arthur Freed---Written in 1927)


Okay, maybe not. (See song lyrics above.) It has been raining for quite some time here in Bear Lake Valley. The moisture has been wonderful and things are greener than they've been in a long time. That said, I find myself longing for a sunny day. Since the weather people have indicated that may not happen for a while, I decided to share a poem I wrote several years ago when a similar situation occurred. My sons were quite young at the time, ages: 9, 8, and 4. Let's just say they were less than thrilled when their summer vacation began with several rainstorms in a row. ;) Enjoy!

Ode to Summer Vacation

The last bell rang, there was a jubilant cry—school had come to a close,
Delighted rapture filled the air--kids were excited right down to their toes.
My own children bubbled with vacation plans, endless adventures awaited,
How were we to ever guess it would not be as they anticipated?

It began to rain, it even snowed—at first, we were filled with bliss,
We indeed had prayed for rain, we thought we wanted this.
Three small noses pressed day after day against the window from sunup till dark,
Until one morning they wanted to know if we needed to build an ark.

“Is today the day we can go outside? Our puppy doesn’t know who we are!”
“How come we have to stay in the house? We’re not having fun so far!”
Coloring books weren’t exciting, Nintendo became unappealing,
The computer amused for a while, till their tempers hit the ceiling.

“Mama, he hit me!” “Did not!” Did too!” They scuffled on the floor.
“Can’t we go outside today?” I prayed but it continued to pour.
Then one day the sun peeked through, the clouds began to fade.
My children, how they frolicked, cavorted, and yes, played.

Suddenly from nowhere, the gentle breeze became a gale,
The residents of Georgetown could hear my three sons wail.
“Mom, we know it’s raining, but can’t we play a little longer?”
As I, the judge, debated, the storm moved in much stronger.

My children were now soggy, much to our combined dismay,
“Mom, we’re wet! It’s all your fault! You let us out to play!”
They tromped in the house, mud and water on my floor,
And all three more disgusted than they’d ever been before.

Videos failed to entice them, books did not impress,
They were having too much fun, being ornery and depressed.
Then one morning, the sun returned—and the clouds blew far away,
But my sons still weren’t speaking to me, they were in bed with a cold that day.

Cheri J. Crane
(1992)

1 comment:

Doran & Jody said...

Eh heh. Guess it goes to show you we need to be careful for what we ask for eh?