X80

There once was a boat, the X-80

Full of friends, food and fun - it was weighty!

On Lake Powell for a week

Yet the X didn't sink

Near the end when the water got wavy.

Happiness

There once was a man from 'round here
who said happiness is friends sitting near.
I look at you all
And I'm having a ball.
So it's true. Or it could be the beer.

Party

So my wife, she says how 'bout a party?
It's a big year. If we don't, you'll be sorry.
I said nah, let's not
But the look I was shot
said they'll be there, so will you, don't be tardy.

Cold

There once was a boy who got cold,
his blanket wrapped tight as a mold.
He wouldn't let loose
till someone produced
another warm cover to hold.

Whistled

There once was a boy who whistled
while chasing the ball like a missile.
Andy Griffith the tune
put him in the mood
for defense, but we didn't bristle.

Toes

There once was a boy with toes
so dirty he dug in with a hoe.
He stood for a rinse
then his bath could begin
to clean before anything grows.

Lied

There once was a boy who lied
when his plea for more time was denied.
His outrageous claim
has sullied his name.
It will be hard to take up his side.

Loud

There once was a boy who was loud
all alone, in a group or a crowd.
He made the choice
to raise his voice
and most often it wasn't allowed.

Climbed 2

There once was a boy who climbed
the fence for his ball in less time.
The warning tip
that his clothes could rip
was dismissed like a half-hearted rhyme.

Cards

There once was a boy who played cards.
He left shuffling all to his pard.
The opponent was tough
and losing was rough
but in winning the last game, he starred.

Showered

There once was a boy who showered
because his smell had long ago soured.
With our full permission
he put stink in remission
and by contrast, was practically flowered.

Climbed

There once was a boy who climbed
on a lap to watch a short time.
While the game played out
through the cheers and shouts
he stayed put, but Dad didn't mind.

Checked

There once was a boy who checked
the first page of the chapter next.
Cliffhanger suspense
was much too intense.
If he didn't, his sleep would be wrecked.

Asked

There once was a boy who asked
about helmets and chin straps and masks.
About drawing a Viking
to be to his liking,
he plead for Dad's help with the task.

Tied

There once was a boy who tied
new laces crossed side to side.
He pulled them tight
and they fit just right
as long as his loops aren't too wide.

Sang

There once was a boy who sang
before snacking could start for the gang.
They all joined in
while rumbling within
as hunger and thirst turned to pang.

Peeked

There once was a boy who peeked.
What he found he so quickly leaked.
A box marked "gift"
he could easily lift
was swiped and his snooping critiqued.

Sassed

There once was a boy who sassed
as soon as Dad's words went past.
Excessively rude,
he had to be clued
that it's wrong to carp and harass.

Lion

There once was a boy and his lion.
He picked play, not pajamas to try on.
The couch downstairs
was the wily cat's lair,
but his dad hunts at home like Orion.

Cough

There once was a boy with a cough.
If you asked, "Does it bother?" he'd scoff.
Then with a shrug
he asks for a chug
of syrup before he nods off.

Bananas

There once was a boy and bananas.
His peel pile looked like a campana.
He eats them so fast
they never will last.
We'll have to buy more mañana.

Painted

There once was a boy who painted.
Without color, his coat rack was tainted.
His name, seven hues
first and last are the blues.
The family surprise - one ain't red.

Snack

There once was a boy who would snack
all evening with no turning back.
If that were allowed
he would cheer out loud,
but it's not. So instead he's all flack.

Trouble

There once was a boy who had trouble
spelling words with consonants double.
The answer no riddle
(repeat in the middle)
and turn errors from mountains to rubble.

Sore

There once was a boy with a sore
that made oranges and berries a chore.
The treatment prescribed
was a little surprise:
eat yogurt for breakfast some more.

Played

There once was a boy who played
with pure joy, it was no masquerade.
But when he finished
his spirit diminished
if he lost. Oh, dear, a tirade.

Hair

There once was a boy who liked hair
without bands, clips or buns - just bare.
If mom wore a hat
he'd have none of that
and snatch it and say "that's not fair!"

Boots

There once was a boy and his boots
that picked up all the mud on his route.
When he walked inside
dirt fell with each stride.
His scolding was swift and acute.

Spelled

There once was a boy who spelled
a list every week practiced well.
From morning to knight
basketball, is that right?
By the look in Mom's eyes he could tell.

Bread

There once was a boy who ate bread.
One supper, five slices he said.
When the rest were not looking
he'd passed on the cooking
and ate all but the crusts instead.

Disagreed

There once was a boy who disagreed
with the bedtime his father decreed.
He put his foot down
held firm with a frown
but his case was paid little heed.

Shared

There once was a young boy who shared
with neighbors a macaroon pair.
He was sweet in the tooth
so his thanks was the truth
for they let him shoot hoops on their square.

First

There once was a boy with a thirst

to get upstairs to the bathroom first.

But running inside

is not bona fide.

So he brushed in a huff - the worst!

Read

There once was a boy who read

just scores and what players have said.

There's much more to know

if he'd only go

to the other news sections instead.

Dressed

There once was a boy who got dressed

after dark, before bed. It was best.

So when he arose

already in clothes

he was one step ahead of the rest.

Rabbit

There once was a girl and a rabbit.

One day, she could no longer have it.

The news was unwelcome

she wanted to tell them

but tears spoke enough of her sadness.

Spinach

There once was a boy who ate spinach

and his throat didn't burn or skin itch.

He didn't turn green

or rupture his spleen

but he did get dessert when he finished.

Scratched

There once was a boy who got scratched.

It hurt for a bit, even patched.

So he slept through the night

with his stuffed owl held tight.

When he woke the ow was dispatched.

Tackle

There once was a boy who tackled

then he woofed, and pranced and cackled.

In every game he won

'cause it was one-on-none.

Just a show for the crow and grackle.

Grunt

There once was a boy who grunted

in your face, just for fun, if he wanted.

To him, it was sport

to give you a snort

but not us. We just felt affronted.

Washed?

There once was a boy so quick

he could wash his hands in a tick.

At least, that's what he said

but when he reached for the bread

even the crustiest slice cried, "Ick!"

"Well ..."

There once was a young boy from Lincoln

who said, "Well ..." every time he was thinking.

When the bedroom turned dark

his questions would spark

and flow out like a faucet to sink in.