Happy Fourth of July!!!

Waiting for the Fireworks

 

It is too hot and too bright

and I am way too old to take a nap.

I’ll be seven next month,

and I never took naps, even in kindergarten!

When Mrs. Proctor told us

to put our heads on our desks for a nap

I never fell asleep!

I just listened to the secret noises I could hear

when I pushed my ear against the top of my desk.

Mummy knows I never sleep in the day,

but she said I have to,

because tonight

we’ll stay up late for the fireworks.

We go every year on the Fourth of July,

and there's crowds and crowds of people

and it’s very, very dark.

We look up, up, up!

When the fireworks explode,

I can feel the bangs in my heart

and everybody, all together,

we say, “Ahhhh!”

If I didn’t take a nap, Mummy says,

I’d be too sleepy, but I’m never ever sleepy.

I tried to tell her that, but she just said,

“Not another word! Straight back to bed!”

I hear Queenie barking for me to come out and play,

but Mummy said

I can’t get up again for another whole hour!

I’m wearing my Cinderella watch,

the one that Grandma gave me,

and I keep looking at it,

but every time I do,

it still isn’t time to get up!

I don’t think I’ll ever fall asleep!

But when tonight finally comes,

I’m going to see the fireworks!

   ~Kate Lydon Varley