Placing bets on breaking window panes,
we're laughing and discussing names
of children who don't exist.

We're making artifacts today
of catnip, yarn and candy canes,
later we'll have to hide them.

We're making threats on rainy days,
spilling how we'll run away,
complete with notes and what they'd say
to help the parents cope.

But we'll grow up another day.

Till then, each day we'll strive to keep
the promises we've buried deep
in the barn grass and cattails.