The Dickens

some things you never grow out of

Mom says, “Stop running!
You’re playing too hard!
Get out of the house,
Go tear up the yard!”

I tried to obey her,
So the yard I did tear.
She appeared at the door
With two fistfuls of hair.

“You’re a whirling dervish!”
Whatever that is.
“Stay out of the flowers!
And don’t climb the lattice!”

Her eyes glazed and wild,
She yells, “Bobby Dickens!
You run around more than
A dozen headless chickens.”

You’re driving me crazy!
You’re driving me nuts!”
She screams through the door,
Which she forcefully shuts.

The deadbolt slides home
A frown replaces my grin.
It’s clear that she’s had it,
I’m not getting back in.

I pull out my car keys,
Dial my wife on my phone.
“Mom kicked me out, Hon.
I’m on my way home.”

© Jeff Wilson, 2008