Children's Books
THE NIGHT BEFORE
By Annie Roi
The worse thing that happened was when I lost my voice,
Even when I tried to talk, I found I had no choice.
It wasn't so much just being hoarse,
But what led up to it of course.
Like dealing with a dragon, sneaky and mean,
But wait--sit down--I'll describe to you the scene.
It was one night ago, just the night before,
I heard someone outside knocking on my door.
I looked through the peep-hole, and what did I see?
A green scaly dragon looking back at me.
He had found me again, but how I can't say,
He always does, even though I run away.
But I couldn't let him touch me, not one hair from my head,
So like any boy would, I hid under my bed.
Trembling I crouched, resembling live bait,
Tortured with fear, regretting the long wait.
Then suddenly I heard it-- the sound rang out true,
Of the door crashing down, and the dragon coming through.
He checked several rooms. He could have checked more,
But instead he stopped outside my bedroom door.
I could hear his scales rubbing as the dragon passed through,
And smelled his breath stinking like a burnt rubber shoe.
He was close and I knew it, but where could I go?
With the bed up above, and the floor down below.
I kept really still, and I held my breath tight,
Wondering what horror my fate held tonight.
He knew that he had me, I just know that he did,
As he checked all the places he thought I had hid.
He looked in the closet, behind my old coats,
Then he checked all my shelves, underneath my toy boats.
I had run out of time and I sweated with dread,
As the dragon came close and stopped at my bed.
Should I run now? I have nothing to lose,
I thought when I saw my bed curtain move.
Then something peeked under, but it was only his toe,
And the dragon sat down, on my bed with me below.
It was quiet for a moment, but that didn't last,
My bed started squeaking and shaking really fast.
I wondered what was happening so I stuck out my head,
And was surprised to see the dragon jumping on my bed.
He jumped up and down 'till I thought my bed would break,
Then sure enough he jumped with one final hard take.
His feet were in the air when he landed on my bed,
His back-side on my mattress, which fell upon my head.
He was sure he had me trapped when my bed rails came down,
Crushed beneath my mattress, and dust bunnies on the ground.
But no crying just yet, there's still more you should know,
Instead of lying still, I wiggled to and fro.
A little bit to the left, getting closer to the wall,
The dragon never noticed 'till he felt the mattress fall.
He was mad and I knew it, as he saw me run away,
Breathing purple smoke puffs in a vicious sort of way.
But I can’t let him touch me (one touch was all he'd need),
So I ran through the living room, with the greatest of speed.
Then I ran through the kitchen, heading for the door,
The dragon’s hot breath getting hard to ignore.
Just then I made it. I opened the door wide,
Heading out doors, leaving the dragon inside.
But since he thought he could make it, in fact he was sure,
The dragon charged forward, crushing his nose in the door.
I know I should have ran and found a new place to hide,
Though the dragon started wailing loudly as he cried.
But how could I run while holding my ears,
Or leave the poor dragon drowning in tears?
That's why I stopped, just to help the dragon out,
I thought that maybe I could wrap his wounded snout.
But did I get a "Thank-you," or did he say "How sweet!"
Or did he just stare at me like something good to eat?
Oh, he smiled at me as best as he could,
Like no respectable dragon ever should.
With one hand he reached out and touched me on my side,
With the other he wiped the fake tears that he cried.
At that moment it happened. I threw the biggest fit,
I screamed myself hoarse when the dragon yelled,
"TAG! NOW YOU’RE IT!”
The Day of The Ants
Cindernever
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Copyright © 2001 Annie Roi. All Rights Reserved