Kevin's Rainy Spring Day

 

It’s a rainy April day.

Kevin nags to go outside,

but Mom knows this means extra work

mopping wet muddy floors,

making a hot lunch to warm cold bones,

and a dryer load of wet Kevin.

But Kevin wails on

and, in spite of diversion

with TV cartoons,

and that fishing show he likes;

whining insistence wins,

and Kevin gets his way.

Flannels under the yellow slicker,

warm socks, and rubber boots,

with admonition to not “go crazy,” 

splashing in mud puddles,

Kevin is sent out, warned to heed

“Kevin, it’s time to come in.”  

Quickly, Kevin’s world just opens up

like nearby tulips just straining to bloom.

The rain makes ping ping ping on his rubberized jacket,

and Kevin immediately “goes crazy,”

 jumping in the first big enticing mud puddle.

Ah, yes;  freedom !

His smile grows when he sees Kimberly Caseman

just down the street, all resplendent in flowery pink rain poncho,

her blond ringlets under a hoodie, in turn under a Dora hat.

She struggles with her umbrella trying to hold on

as she does “double Dutch” to swings

of rope twirled urgently by Cece and Ellie .

Kevin’s vision narrows to Kim’s coquettish smile

as she sees Kevin and gets caught in twisting rope.

Kevin sees his opportunity and immediately

makes grand splashes in a particularly inviting puddle,

drawing the girls all into a conga line of puddle splashing,

to many girly giggles, and secret satisfaction by a posturing Kevin.

But Kim and Cece and Ellie quickly

lose interest in this boyish diversion,

and leave to stroll down and watch 

through the rivulet drawn-upon beauty shop window,

as salon women inside go through harried rigors of fashion,

being washed, pulled, wrapped, and combed.

Kevin has lost his audience,

and puddles have lost their fascination.

That rain is really getting cold,

so Kevin goes in, 

knowing Mom has hot soup

and dry clothes.

With promise of more rainy days,

for now, inside, with his fishing show; 

just looking outside the rain spotted window,

and with maybe a nap under the warm sofa throw,

are all just cool enough for Kevin,

spending the rest of this rainy spring day.