These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

"My Tummy Hurts"

"How fun it is to swing!
Go higher and higher!
O, my tummy!
Don't come out my mouth!
So much fun!
So much pain!"

"My tummy hurts, Mommy,
The big balloon inside me,...
I think it might explode.
I don't want to be scared,
but I don't know what to do."

"Thank you for the spoonful of milk.
It was chalky. I don't eat chalk.
Is it okay?
Maybe it is okay.
My tummy feels better."

"Why did my tummy hurt?
Did I do something bad?
Is my body spanking me?"

"I want to play,
but my tummy doesn't want to."

"Will I always hurt?
I'm scared.
I don't like to be sick.
I like to play.
Help me, Mommy!"

"Take a nap?
I can take a nap.
Will that make my tummy better?
Will you tuck me in?
That makes me feel safe."

"Where are you, Harold?
Thank you, Mommy!
Harold is a good teddy bear.
My tummy feels a little better.
Thank you for the light in my bathr---"

line count: 36
poetry form: Free Verse
prompt number: 1 (March 1st, 2026)

on church day
by Little Jay