A day out

A DAY OUT

Are we there yet dad is this the right road?
The three little time bombs all set to explode
From the hot back seat of a loaded car
They cannot believe that the sea is so far

Are we there yet dad? we ate all the sweets
There is something sticky on these back seats
We read all the comics and both the books
As three little time bombs cast bored looks

Can we stop soon? Some where with a loo
There’s something we just have to do
Is it time to eat or to have a drink?
Will it be long now what do you think?

Are all these cars going our way too?
Go faster dad there are quite a few
We have the buckets and a bright red spade
There are sandcastles waiting to be made

Will we be there soon is it that far now?
As we count all the sheep, look at that cow
Why have we stopped why can’t we drive on?
Will this traffic jam be the only one?

Oh I wish we were there we just can’t wait
Will we get there early but come back late?
Can we have an ice cream and a donkey ride?
How long can we spend by the seaside?

Oh look we are here but where is the sea?
There are donkeys and sand but no water to see
We wanted to paddle and get our feet wet
Do we have to go now oh we’re not finished yet?

And on the way home are the tears of regret
In the back of the car where all eyes are wet
The soreness of sunburn, the sand in their shoes
A bucket of shells collected unused

A quiet journey home with three time bombs asleep
From a date with the sea they all wanted to keep
Lift them out gently take them one at a time
To their beds in the house far from the blue brine

JP.