Willie and Wanda's Wax Paper Wings

Willie and Wanda were hopelessly bored
One wet winter weekend, when the mercury soared,
'Twas too muddy for soccer, too slushy for skating,
So for springtime to come, the two kids were stuck waiting.

But around three o'clock, at their peak of ennui,
Willie looked out the window, and noticed with glee,
A grand V-formation, 'gainst the steely grey sky,
Of Canada geese, as back home they did fly.
The moment he witnessed this beautiful sight,
He turned to his sister, and exclaimed with delight;

"Hey Wanda," said Willie, "I sure wish WE could fly,
Alongside those geese, 'cross the vast open sky."
Said Wanda to Willie, "Well, to fly, we'd need wings,
So let's ask Uncle Wilfred to borrow some things,
From his arts-and-crafts cupboard. For he'll surely abide
By any idea that'll get us outside,
To combat this attack of mid-March cabin fever."
So within the hour, they were busy as beavers!

They searched through the cupboard (with their uncle's permission),
And before very long, things came into fruition!
As Willie and Wanda sat and crafted their wings,
Of wax paper, and feathers, coat hangers, and strings,
They built up a following. Friends, neighbours, and cousins
Showed up at their doorstep in twos, threes, and dozens!
There was Sam, Susie, Sally, and Sarah as well,
And Billy, and Bobby, and Bianca Blair Bell.
There was Wilbur, and Wendy, Wilhelmina, and Walter,
Not once did the crowd ever dwindle or falter!

Said Willie to Wilbur, "What do you come seeking?
Do you wish to make wings? Well, get lost! And no peeking!"
But Wanda piped up, "Willie, that isn't nice,
Before snubbing these children, we ought to think twice.
For the Canada geese survive all types of weather,
By forming a V-shape and flying together!"
So they welcomed the children inside, one and all,
And before very long, they were having a ball!

They sketched, and they cut, and glued feathers in rows,
(Though poor Sam accidentally glued one to his nose),
The kids worked in harmony, 'round the floor in the kitchen,
For to fly with the geese, they were eagerly itchin'.

They giggled, and chattered, as their feelings they shared,
Some kids were excited, but others were scared.
But none wanted to miss out, they all yearned to fly,
And this wing-making project seemed well worth a try!
So when they were finished, and the glue finally dried,
The kids put on their wings, and headed outside.
They lined up in a V, and ran at full speed,
And flapped vigorously, with Wanda in lead.

But before they could lift off, there came a mom's call,
Which marked the beginning of the geese-kids' downfall.
"Billy, and Bobby, and Bianca Blair Bell!
You get inside for dinner, and what ARE those, pray tell?
Come inside, take them off, and eat your spaghetti,
I'm sure that I called you in three times already!"

So the V was lopsided, but the kids re-arranged
Their shrinking formation, which had to be changed.
But as friends, one by one, were called in by their folks,
Willie griped to his sister, "This whole thing's a joke!
I thought up the idea, but now it won't work,
Because people are leaving. They're all rotten jerks!"

But Wanda replied to her frustrated brother,
"I know you're upset, but I'm sure there'll be other
Boring grey afternoons, with nothing to do,
So now, we'll be busy for not one day, but two!
For today, when the kids came, we all had a blast,
Making geese-wings together, and the time went so fast,
We lost track of the minutes, and moments, and hours,
'Cause we were enthralled by the infinite powers
Of playing together, with our neighbours and friends,
And although I am sad that this day's at an end,
I'm excited as well, for the day we'll take flight,
I know it will come if we only sit tight."

So, did that day come? Well, I'm not fully sure,
For children's lives seem to go by in a blur,
But if you look up on an overcast day,
And squint really hard, concentrate, hope, and pray,
You might see some Canada geese that look bigger
Than regular geese, and although some might figure
That that's just a coincidence, well, YOU'LL know the truth,
That those "geese" are, in fact, thirteen bold, headstrong youth.