I came into my son’s bedroom, long after the goodnights had been said and the lights had been turned off, and found him bouncing, bouncing, bouncing on his bed.
My request that he lie down in his bed this instant was politely but emphatically dismissed.
“I can’t go to sleep! It’s SUMMER!”
And so, the following poem was born:
He’s not wrong. It isn’t easy to sleep in the summer, and not just because of the heat. The excitement of two full months without school (especially this year, as it’s first summer vacation as an elementary school kiddo) is palpable! You might think that eight full hours of fun at summer camp would at least put a dent in his energy, but you would be very, very very incorrect. He seems to have an internal, fun-powered battery – the more activities he does, the more power he generates! If only there was a way to harness the energy of a small child on summer vacation!
I hope that wherever you are, summer is more of a pleasure than a chore – I know the weather has been downright abominable in a lot of places, and while it’s a bit toasty here (we reached 30C yesterday, or almost 90F), I really can’t complain (I mean, I do complain, but I shouldn’t really). And if you’re also in the trenches with children or grandchildren home on summer vacation – good luck, and godspeed, fellow traveller!
Jan at Bookseedstudio is hosting Poetry Friday this week.
Your precious son’s energy makes me want to hop-along, wonderful Jane. Congrats to him on a fine finish to his 1st year in Big School – Bravo!
Jane, all of a sudden while reading your delightful poem that your son has grown into an elementary child with lots of energy. I am off to seeing my grandgirls who are releasing the steam in swimming meets (2 of them). The little one is home enjoying her aunt’s attention. Children are full of energy in the glorious summertime. Enjoy your weekend.
Jane, I am having trouble writing a response to you. I added it to my blog post reply to you but do hope to figure out why I can’t share my thoughts on your delightful poem.