The Backseat Lament

"Are we there yet?"

You know, it all starts out quite innocently
when a voice pipes up to ask,
"Daddy, oh daddy, what time is it?"
And father feels up to the task...

In no time at all, that backseat voice
is heard to inquire, again,
"Daddy, oh daddy, what time is it?"
And "daddy" shows signs of strain.

"Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"
now punctuates the hour,
and that traitorous sunshine of earlier
has turned to a downright shower.

"Ma, ma, he's POKING me!"
she wails with an outraged cry.
"That's nuthin'," brother informs us,
"she stuck her finger in my eye."

And so it goes, with minutes like snails
and as you begin to tire,
you pass the time in fond remembrance
of those ads that say: SITTER FOR HIRE.

"We're hungry!" "We're thirsty!"
"We haf'ta make a STOP!"
"Mommy, Daddy... anybody?
can we please have some pop?"

The backseat lament is heard everywhere
by parents near and far
who are brave enough to venture out
with small children in the car.

© Melody Rhodes 

Publication

Grand Prize Winner, Tickled by Thunder. 
Sword Review