When Mama’s Out of Town

Mama’s at a conference in Missouri.

She calls to say good night on the phone.

Daddy ’s here, and so is Charlie,

and our German shepherd, Farley.

But when Mama’s out of town, I feel alone.

Daddy fumbles through my bedtime story.

But he forgets I want my light dim, not off.

And Daddy thinks I’m just being funny.

He laughs and says, “Sure, honey,”

when I tell him I just heard a monster cough.

It’s only for one night,

then things will be all right,

when Mama comes back from Missouri.

Oh, hurry, Mama—hurry!