Parts

by Ted Arnold

I just don't know what's going on
Or why it has to be.
But every day it's something worse.
What's happening to me?
I think it was three days ago
I first became aware--
That in my comb were caught a couple
Pieces of my hair.
I stared at them, amazed, and more
Than just a bit appalled
To think that I was only five
And starting to go bald!
Then later on (I don't recall
Exactly when it was)
I lifted up my shirt and found
This little piece of fuzz.
I stared at it, amazed, and wondered,
What's this all about?
But then I understood. It was
My stuffing coming out!
Next day when I was outside playing
With the water hose,
I saw that little bits of skin
Were peeling from my toes.
I stared at them, amazed, and then
I gave a little groan.
To think that pretty soon I might
Be peeled down to the bone.
Then yesterday, before my bath,
As I took off my clothes,
A chunk of something gray and wet
Fell right out of my nose.
I stared at it, amazed, and thought,
I should be feeling pain.
Well, wouldn't YOU if you just lost
A little piece of brain?
So now, today, I'm sitting here
Enjoying Dr. Seuss,
And suddenly I realize
A tooth is coming loose!
I wiggle it, amazed, dismayed,
Too horrified to speak.
Without my teeth, how can I eat?
Already I feel weak!
Now I'm really worried. I'm
As scared as I can be,
'Cause finally what's happening
Is very clear to see--
The glue that holds
Our Parts together
Isn't holding me!!!
And now I'm thinking to myself,
What's next in line to go?
Might be my ears; might be my eyeballs.
How's a kid to know?
One day I might be playing ball....
And have my arm fall off.
Or maybe I could lose my head
If suddenly I cough.
Quite soon I'll be in pieces in
A pile without a shape.
Thank goodness Dad keeps lots and lots
And lots of making tape.
WHAT?
You forgot:
To tell me teeth fall out?
And when they do, some brand-new teeth
Will soon begin to sprout?
My hair, my skin, and everything--
There's nothing I should fear?
So all of me is normal. WHEW!
That's really good to hear!
Then tell me, what's this yellow stuff
I got out of my ear?

Sorry it is so long, but I just love this book. Kaden lost his first two teeth this weekend and I thought of this book. If Gregg would have let me, I would be posting the gray hairs (6 to be exact) I found on his head and the lovely two in his goatee.!!



I also might add, Gregg was TOTALLY against this! He refuses to pull the boys loose teeth! It is all mean old me! So when I tried and tried to get at least one of these out for Kaden and Gregg wouldn't try. I called my Dad. He pulled the one. Then the next day Kaden called him and asked him to bring out his pliers and pull out the other one!!