My Toddling Day
© Gail Mitchell
Every morning starts the same way
Up with the birds I’m ready to play
“Mu – mmy” I yell, “Mu – mmy” I say
Til Mum comes half asleep to my cot
I say “Play?” but she gives me this look that says ‘No, let’s not!’
“It’s so early” she moans, almost in tears
But I won’t tell the time for another four years.
Cornflakes for breakfast, Urgh! Don’t like those.
But they’re good for smearing all over my clothes
And for trying to suck one at a time through my nose.
Later we go down the road to see Gran
Who tells me she’s my number one fan.
I like her because she’s so much like me
Squidgy and plump and smelling of wee.
Soon Mum and Gran sit down for a chat
And ignore me! Well we’ll see about that!
So I feed plastercine to Gran’s tabby cat
That got their attention!
They fluster and panic “You must never feed pets,
Now Gran's got to take the cat to vets.”
Cool! I’ve never been to a vets before
But Mum says ‘Home Time’ and heads for the door
I scream and I cry ‘cos I don’t want to go
But do they listen? Do they ever? No!
Once home mum takes me straight up to bed
She wants me to nap, she’s got a bad head
But I’M NOT TIRED, I’d rather watch TV instead
Mum takes no notice, just gives me a kiss
And I glare and I swear that I won’t forget this.
Then I sleep for a while ‘til mum wakes me for tea
Oh, mum you know I HATE broccoli.
So I spit it all out, just for a giggle.
“Bath Time” says mum, and I squirm and I wriggle
I clean and I scrub and I wash and I rub
But I’m scared of the monsters that are under the tub,
They gurgle and roar as the water’s let out
“Help me! Quick!” I stamp and I shout
Just in time I get rescued but mums not impressed
I shiver in fear as I cling to her chest.
I’m dried with warm milk, snug in my pyjamas
Mum and me pray that nothing will harm us
And we’ll sleep safe and sound, chasing bad dreams away
Because tomorrow’s another toddling day.
© Gail Mitchell