Rio Says No..

Poem byJW Nelson

It was a very fine dayThe cats and dogs are out to playWherever they went, wherever they’d goRio’s answer to them coming in, was always the same – No!

Rio loved little animals like birdsHe loved the sounds that he heardWhistling high, whistling lowAt the end of the day Rio still said No!

Looking out the window, saying ‘outside, outside’Wherever we hid, there was nowhere to hideHe loved being chased fast and then slowBut when it got too much, Rio said No!

When Rio became tired he needed his sleepWe set his alarm on silent so it wouldn’t beepSo much for silence as Rio was awoken by a singing crowWhat else could he shout except his favourite word - No!

Refreshed and ready to play, Rio comes downstairsWith a cheeky grin, snotty nose and wild tousled hairIn front of the television watching his afternoon showIt wasn’t the right one so guess what Rio said next – No!

Then the trouble starts when his sister Mimi arrivesBefore you know it all we can hear are criesMimi stands all innocent – yes she has a haloRio knows different and yells out – No!

They begin to play nicely as well as can beMimi has a peace offering – make Rio some teaShe takes him to the kitchen where milk begins to flowBut she spills some on Rio and he can only shout – No! Rio runs off all upset and wetMimi chases Rio to try and repay the debtMum intervenes but keeps her voice lowRio looks up at her murmurs – Mia No! Mum sends them outside to let off some steamTwo happy children, a joy to been seenInside their playhouse putting on a showRio in his element still called out No!

Rio smiled and laughed and giggledEnjoying having his tummy and back tickledBy his big sister Mimi in a dress with a bowBut before Rio could utter another word – Mia said No!

Dad calls them inside, it is time for teaIt’s been a long day for Rio and his sister MimiThey’ve done a lot, with Rio keeping Mia in towWe’ll wait for the next time when Rio says...No!

JW NelsonJuly 2012