Birthday Presents for a Preteen

Say It Again challenge - The Prompt: Write a satirical poem that repeats one line at least three times. Each time it appears, its meaning should shift or deepen.

Repetition can sharpen a point or quietly undo it. Here, it needs to do both.

Build your poem around a line that comes back at least three times. Each return should shift how it reads, shaped by what surrounds it and what’s already been said.

By the final repetition, the line shouldn't land the way it did at the start.

What do you want for your birthday

"Money"

What are you going to buy with the money?

"Clothes."

Okay, so what do you want for your birthday?

"Money"

How many days away is it?

"About two weeks"

Do you know what you are doing for your birthday?

"Having people over at country home"

~

"Mom and I are taking a sugar break for a month

So we are having steak with butter on top

And maybe a cake made of fruit."

I can handle that.

What do you want for your birthday?

Mary and I are going out for breakfast

then I have to go see Carol

And I thought we might fit in some shopping

~

At breakfast Mary teaches Brynn some new face tricks

A twitch she can use on Grandpa when he teases her

Then Mary decides we should all walk like ogres

Brynn takes off way ahead of us, to not be embarrassed

Then as she peeks around the corner we do our walk.

~

After breakfast, Mary wants to go to the art gallery

Brynn, we will just look. If you like something

you can see if you can easily make it.

Using your art ability can make you some money.

"Grandma, I am not that good."

All artists say that. Yes, you are that good!

~

Then we went to the shoe store.

Let's look in the discount department

where the shoes are on sale

I am trying on this pair of dudes.

Is there anything you like?

"Yes, I like this pair."

Dudes, are you sure?

"Yes, and they fit perfectly."

Is that what you want for your birthday?

~

"Yes! I would like these for my birthday."

Okay, then I can give you the earrings you want

And maybe $15. cash?

"I really want something name brand

like Alia has a really cute coach purse"

I have a coach purse you can have.

"Okay, grandma, you don't have to give

me the earrings or the cash."

No, the coach purse is old and it wouldn't

be for your birthday. Just a gift.

~

"Grandma, are you wealthy?"

No! A friend gave it to me.

She may be wealthy.

"Grandma, I love it

and I want to wear it as an accessory

I don't even have to put anything in it.

I will carry it everywhere!

What do you want for your birthday, Grandma?"

~

Author's note: I had a great time with my overnight guests. She invited Mary to her birthday party when Brynn said she wanted spaghetti for her party and Mary said she makes 'The Best spaghetti ever!'

Preteen girls can be just like teen girls one minute and the next that sweet baby girl you have loved from birth or in her case from the moment I set eyes on her.