Poem #8 Now for Something Completely Different
















How Does a Dinosaur Brush his Teeth
(with huge thanks to Jane Yolen)

How does a dinosaur brush all his teeth?

Does he run from the sink,
and give his mom grief?

Does he clamp his mouth shut,
paint the mirror with paste?

Does he yank at hand towels
to cover his face?

How does a dinosaur
handle the floss?

Does he shout,
“Stand back, Dad! I am the boss!”?

Does he break the box open,
pull out miles of string?

Does he toss it into the air with a fling?

How does a dinosaur make his throat gargle?

Does he spout a fountain of mouthwash
till Mom is losing her marbles?

Does he spray?
Does he play?
Does he act most unpleasant?

No, a dinosaur doesn’t.

A dinosaur waits
with his mouth open wide
while Dad brushes every tooth inside.

He flosses until each molar’s a pearl,
then sips his mouthwash without even a quarrel.

He gives his mom a minty peck on the lips
and runs off to play.

Mama says, “Have fun, little dinosaur,
and Happy Birthday.”
-----------------------

Buckaroo loves Jane Yolen's How Does a Dinosaur books, and we reference them often when struggling through meal time or doctor's visits. Brushing teeth is also a daily challenge for us, so I re-visioned a Yolen story in honor of Buckaroo's fourth birthday.

Happy Birthday, Little Dinosaur


Comments

Brian Miller said…
hahaha...i love it...we have several of those books and read them often to our boys...going to read this to them tonight...lol
patriciacaspers said…
Thanks! It was a welcome break from the bleakness of the last few poems.
Ami Mattison said…
Aw. This is a wonderful children's poem! Fanciful and interesting. I'm not familiar with Yolen's work, but this is great!
hedgewitch said…
If those books are anything like your poem, I need to check them out for my grandson--in fact, next time he stays over, I may try this one on him for that awkward toothbrushing moment when he insists he can do it himself, makes a mad swipe at half-a-tooth, spits, makes a face and says he's done. Thanks for a trip to the lighter side, Patricia.
Anonymous said…
Oh that was great - I really enjoyed reading it with the birthboy being the main character -
Happy Birthday - Love, Mom - Nana
kelli said…
My son is almost 11 now and he still loves those. He especially likes anything to do with dinosaurs. I'm going to let him read that tonight!