Charlie's First Rainbow Poem by Stevie Taite

Gloriously Grubby
Sipping on his Mountain Dew
A picture of contentment
Captured there in my rear view

A day full of adventure
Now a forming memory
He asked whilst glazing blankly
When our next day out would be

I laughed and told him gently
'You look ready for your bed'
He smiled a sleepy smile
Then focused on the road ahead

I spoke of future outings
As we drove on, homeward bound
But sleep soon interrupted
With its laboured breathing sound

I warmly recollected
Many summer days like these
Heading home, exhausted
Windows wound down for the breeze


But this one would be special
As the raindrops hit the bonnet
The horizon up ahead
Had a rainbow painted on it

Now, even though I learnt at school,
What puts them in the skies
The magic of these coloured arches
Still astounds my eyes

The clarity and flawlessness
Not marred by science told
And for Charlie, this would be his first
(he wasn't very old)

I savoured Charlie's wonder
And his eyes sprung open wide
Excitement echoed in his voice
As'follow it' he cried

'But Charlie, its across a field,
I cannot drive that way'
'We have to reach the end', He pleaded
'Please do as I say!

I think it ends right by our house
And so you simply must
Take the quickest route you can.
Oh, come on Mum, FULL THRUST! '

He aired his disappointment
With his ‘off road' route refused
And when I asked him, 'What's the fuss'
He stared at me, bemused

'Mum' He said, exasperated
'Haven't you been told?
That at the end of rainbows
Is the hugest pot of gold! '

Even though I knew it was
To be a pointless chase
My childish heart was hopeful
As we pulled up to our place

The rainbow hung there mockingly
As Sun and showers played
Its end still seemed so far away
And Charlie looked dismayed.

'They do not have an end' I said
'I'll teach you how they're done
So you can make your very own'
He cheered and looked less glum

(We took a picture, Charlie's arm
Stretched out in its direction
Just in time, as drying skies
Put end to natures spectrum)