POLAR DREAMS

by Elizabeth Reilly
(Greenfield, Wisconsin)

When I turned five a year ago
with my mind already set,
I asked my mom and dad
if I could have a pet.


My dad thought of a hamster,
my brother said a mouse,
but mom said no, she didn’t want
a rodent in the house.


I didn’t want the usual
like a rabbit, a dog or bird,
everyone thought my idea
was the weirdest thing they’d heard.


Right now I have a little cat,
who’s as sweet as she can be
though I love her, I’m still sure
she’s not the pet for me.


Dad says when I'm much older
if I haven’t changed my mind,
he’ll go with me down to the zoo
and see what we can find.

.
Someday I’ll have my own house,
with lots of room to spare,
when I’m grown, can’t wait to own
a big white polar bear!