In the Motel Breakfast Room
That little boy is screaming and mad.
At eight in the morning, he’s already bad!
He tasted his waffle and doesn’t want more.
He just dumped his Fruit Loops all over the floor.
His mom didn’t see from her side of the room.
The attendant was swift with her dustpan and broom.
She removed all the cereal dumped at my feet
by the brattiest child I ever did meet.
I came to this place for some coffee and quiet.
I didn’t expect to encounter a riot.
He’s having a tantrum. He will not sit down.
His voice at screech level, his mouth set on frown.
Does he want to go back to the room? asks his mother
as she struggles to feed both his sister and brother.
At this breakfast bar set up for all of the guests,
regrettably, no sign says, “We don’t serve pests.”
Last night when my friend went to get us some ice,
“Excuse me, Excuse me,” the desk clerk said twice
as he ran down the hall in a manner uncool
heading straight for the door that leads into the pool.
Now I can imagine this terrible kid
pushing some button. (I bet that he did!)
that signaled “Emergency Call 911!”
watching the panic and calling it fun.
The manager thinking “perhaps a cracked head!”
but encountering only this bad boy instead.
Now this morning my coffee was ruined by his cries.
This early-day tantrum a rite I despise.
I started to gather my coffee and fruit,
then grabbed a few creamers and sweeteners to boot.
When from my eye’s corner before I could stand,
at the edge of my table I saw a small hand.
I looked up to encounter a smile ear-to-ear.
That horrible child looked ever so dear!
He flashed me the smile, for a moment stood near,
then departed the room nevermore to appear.
When I looked at the table, an astonishing sight.
He’d left me one Fruit Loop right there in plain sight.
That child’s behavior now leaves me in doubt
whether I should remember the smile or pout.
Was my disapproval so plain to see
that this tiny child could see right through me?
And had he the wisdom to do what he did
simply to remind me a kid is a kid?
For the Poets and Storytellers United Friday Writings Prompt
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
It’s a challenge to get kids to behave in public. I mostly kept my home.
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Did they misbehave there? Need I ask?
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Hell, it’s a challenge for ME to act right in public! I stay home for much the same reasons … 😆
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Ha. What self-discipline you display in doing so.
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Brad Pitt says his face-blindness makes even him want to stay home ~ says he’s tired of hurting people’s feelings all the time by not knowing who they are right away.
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I love this! My kids almost always behaved in public. My mom had told me when I was young that when it came to have my own children you bring them out with you and teach them how to act appropriately from the very beginning. I was lucky, I know. David, my husband now, always tells me how awful his kids were no matter where they went.
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Oh that was fun to read! And I did like the volte-face at the end (by both protagonists).
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That is the exact Fruit Loop he left on my table. I kept it for some time but don’t know what happened to it. Perhaps still in some secret spot in my studio!
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🙂
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It would be a statement piece framed large! 🤣
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Judy, This is delightful, and so glad you shared it will us.
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So glad you enjoyed it. This happened a few years ago but seemed right for this prompt.
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A delightful turnaround
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OOOH~!
Unfortunately, this is too close, but oh so true~!
Been there, and I have seen all of that too~!
He may grow up with memories of those tantrums~!
They will stay on his mind: thinking “that was so such fun”.
The earth is my apple and the people not my friends.
They were put here to entertain me, right to the end.
Though that attitude of life, may not be well spent,
Somehow, someday he may grow up to be President~!
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you have such unique, rich talent and a grand sense of humor. One line toward bottom reminded me of “and what to my wondering eyes did appear… ” In its rhythm. I’m so proud to have a genius for a good friend. Ann
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Love this, and- yes.
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Cannot recall reading a true story poem that made me smile so broadly … and one that resurrected so many memories of our three sons .. and one daughter when they were that age!!! Many thanks.
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And the reward is that every misdeed creates a story!!!
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It seems that every hotel has one!
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Love it!!! You’re the best!!! Tell me again how to order your book?
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I have 7 books on Amazon. go HERE: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Judy-Dykstra-Brown/author/B00CQHUKDW?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true to see all the books and to order them. 3 adult books and 4 Children’s.Links are also given along the top on my blog’s home page. If you order one please let me know what you think and if you like it (ha) leave a review. I am horrible re/ promotion and publicity!!! I just want to keep writing them.
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Such a fun poem and a delightful way to end it. My parents would never have tolerating us kids behaving that way—in public OR at home.
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Does he not realise what a wonder food, nay a super food, Froot Loops are?
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That’s life comes to mind – times have changed -well captured.
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I could see this whole scene played out in front of me, and my head begin to pound. Great poem, Judy!
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