What I Learned This Summer

WHAT I LEARNED THIS SUMMER

Maggie McBride likes a summertime picnic,

and Maggie McBride likes to ride in canoes,

and Maggie McBride has a new yellow bonnet

that matches her dress and her shiny new shoes.

Maggie McBride doesn’t like to get muddy,

and Maggie McBride doesn’t like to get wet.

And maybe she once kind of thought I was handsome,

but now, when she sees me, she sure gets upset.

Maggie McBride says I’m stupid and ugly,

and Maggie McBride says I smell like an ape.

And here’s something else that I learned this vacation.

You can’t build a boat out of cardboard and tape.

--Eric Ode