A Children's Book

I wrote this back in 1994.  I entered it into a contest for a children's book, but did not win.

Little Patty Puddinhead

Little Patty Puddinhead
never cleaned beneath her bed.
When her mom said, "Clean your room",
Patty'd run to get the broom,
and then she'd sweep with all her might
'til everything was out of sight.
But while her room looked good as new,
the mess beneath her bed just grew.

Patty didn't seem to mind,
even when she couldn't find
her favorite doll or ruby ring.
In fact, she'd lost most everything.
"It isn't lost, it's beneath my bed".
She'd stomp her feet and shake her head.
"I told you once, I do not care.
I am not cleaning under there!"

All was fine until the day
Patty went to her room to play.
As she walked past her bed, much to her wonder,
she slipped and fell and rolled right under!
She struggled and kicked and tried to get free,
but there was just too much stuff under there you see.

She started to scream, holler and shout.
"Someone please help me, I cannot get out!"
Her mother came running, she saw Patty's plight.
She grabbed hold and pulled with all of her might.
Patty popped out and along with her came
every lost book, all her video games!
Her favorite dress with a bow on the sleeve,
and there was her stuffed hippopotamus, Steve.

A marble, four hair bows, a piece of dried cheese.
The necklace Aunt Ruth gave her when she was three.
Her doll that could wink and say mama too.
Her two favorite hats - one was pink, one was blue.
Balls, blocks and buckets for sand.
There was even the flute she once played in the band.
The dog's half-chewed bone, the cat's rubber rat.
Her brother's ball glove (he's been looking for that).

There were crayons and markers and green glitter glue.
A duck that went quack and a cow that said moo.
Six cups to her tea set (there may have been more).
A seashell she'd found on her trip to the shore.
All her lost things were finally found.
Then Patty declared after turning around.
"My room is a mess!", and then Patty said,
"I'll go get the broom!"  Her mom just shook her head.