Giggleville

A few months ago, my granddaughters and I played a storytelling game.  We would give each other  four or five words that had to be used as we made up stories.  The following is what happened when Rosie (7) was given the following words: mayor, underwear, rain, giggle.  She told a wild and funny story....which  became this poem.  

Our life stories are priceless gifts we give our loved ones...whether a child's fantasy or a grandparents childhood memory.   

Listen,  Ask questions. Know that sharing something about yourself can live for generations to come. 

Rosie

Giggleville

The mayor of Giggleville 

Stomped through the mud

She stopped in a puddle

And gazed out at the flood

Rain dripped from the rooftops 

And poured down the streets

The clouds in the sky 

Hung like huge wet sheets

April showers are welcome

But please, not every day

We want to be able to work 

And to play

The grownups were grumpy 

Because their shoes  were a mess

The kids were tired of being inside 

Playing Checkers and Chess

The mayor of Giggleville 

Missed the sounds of folks having fun

And asked the citizens 

What they thought could be done

The adults huddled on a porch 

And came up with a plan

To create a dry space

Where people could stand 

From lamppost to street signs

Mammoth umbrellas were strung

And to add extra cheer 

They looked like the sun

From treetop to treetop

Tarps were hung in the park

So all could stay dry

From morning till dark. 

But when it rained a bit harder

 It all came crashing down 

And the mayor of Giggleville 

Couldn't help but frown

Droopy umbrellas and tents

Covered the square

But the people looked up 

And couldn't believe what was there

The girls and the boys

Borrowed some clothes

And sewed them together

Into a giant rainbow 

From the flagpole up high

Flying alone

A colorful banner 

Stood on its own

Blue and yellow PJs, a violet swimsuit

Red, orange and green underwear

They raided someone's bedroom

Who could it be?  Oh my!  Would she care? 

The Mayor of Giggleville saw her undies fly by

And was totally shocked

But listened to the laughter

And said "giggling rocks!"

It brightened them all

Though it didn't stop the flood

They sang and danced

In the puddles and mud

When May arrived and

The sun shone all day

The mayor of Giggleville 

Declared a holiday

The citizens packed

And left by car, boat and bike

To swim oceans, see friends 

and find mountains to hike

But nowhere else flies undies

And giggles at rain

So the mayor and everyone

All came home again