When I Was Ten

When I Was Ten

My ten-year-old world was simple and fun

Riding my bike with the wind in my face,

Playing with my dog running from place to place

Building a fort in the woods, wild and free,

Annoying my sister with enormous glee.

Sometimes though my little world was threatened

Often forgetting my house key,

I’d pick the lock, you see

My mom disapproved of this skill,

And yelled things that gave me a chill.

But when you’re ten warnings go unheeded

As usual I forgot the key to my house,

But I just picked the lock quick as a mouse

Threw my books down and grabbed a snack like I always did,

Then went about the business of being a kid.

Suddenly my carefree life came to a halt

My mom appeared like a black cloud,

She was swinging a belt and hollered at me real loud

I froze in my tracks ‘cause I was all done,

There’s no way I could talk my way out of this one.

My ten-year-old world was turned inside out

I did the only thing I could, taking off with a blast,

She was on my heels, I didn’t know she could run that fast

I jumped the fence and fled to the woods,

Just thinking about saving my livelihood.

I had to get my world back on track

Sneaking home, I slipped into my room,

Mom opened the door ready to lower the boom

My dog jumped up growling and bit her real hard,

I couldn’t help myself laughing without regard.

My ten-year-old world is boring and lonely

Mom was not amused so I had to make amends,

No riding my bike, no playing with friends

Confined to my room day after day,

I’ll be on restriction till May.

By Jean Scott