Josie Whitehead’s Poems
by Josie Whitehead
When it's winter, dark and cold and I really cannot wake.
My mother's voice comes through the door - "You must get up, it's late!"
When it's summer, light and warm, the sun shines in my room
I want to rise, get dressed and play, but they say: "It's much too soon".
So - why are parents difficult? I've thought of that before -
You want to sleep - they say it's late - you want to rise - they snore!
On Christmas morn I want to rise - my presents to explore
But if they hear me moving, they'll be angry - it's a bore!
Another day, when I am tired and would like to settle down,
It's "Hurry, get your coat on now, we're going into town."
When I am fast then they are slow, and then the other way
It's: "Please be quiet" or "Stop that noise" or: "Go on out and play."
But when I really try my best by going out to play
It's "Come inside, say cheerio, see you another day".
The meal they've cooked, I do not want and I really cannot eat,
But it's "You won't get down before it's gone - you'll sit there on your seat".
Another time I'm hungry - I eat up and ask for more
But: "You cannot have more ice-cream - it'll make your tummy sore!"
You just can't win with grown-ups, no matter how you try
But battle on, just don't give up - or run away and cry.
Copyright 1997