In the Beginning

On the first day
of holiday-rain
falling-like-string,
there were films, with blankets
hot-chocolate and games.

On the second day,
there was fighting.

Shouting and screaming,
pinching and stomping.
And Dad said, ENOUGH!
Get your wellies – we will brave the elements!
Charlie cheered,
but I was nervous.
The elements?
Fire and earth? Raging volcanoes?
Air and water? Tornadoes and flooding?
Could I be brave, like Dad said?
I was older than Charlie,
and he was laughing!
We piled outside, Charlie first,
wellies on wrong
but eager and smiling.
Excited.
Not scared at all.
Searching for something.
Desperately looking.

The rain streamed down,

then turned
to tears,
and snot
on his flaming cheeks
as a wail of disappointment
erupted from
his
tiny
core…

…YOU SAID THERE WOULD BE ELEPHANTS !