Spring rains make flowers bloom. But they also make thunder boom.
Sometimes they play fair. Sometimes they cheat.
They make splashing mud puddles over every street.

Your mom has just bought you your favorite pair of sneakers.
Raindrops falling on your head strike you like leaky creepers.

Your sneakers are brand new; your favorite color, white.
Outside, muddy water is splashing from left to right.

"Be careful," said mom, "do you know what I mean?"
"Yes, Mom, when I'm out, I should keep my sneakers clean."

Keeping sneakers clean, in muddy watered alleys,
Can be like keeping a mountain's streams from flowing to its valleys.

On your way home from school, you take shortcuts through alleys.
They're fun, because you feel like you're exploring mountains and valleys.

OH! The wind takes a girl's rain cap. You chase it to help.
Hopping and skipping between puddles, you gasp, you yelp.
You fetch it before it tumbles upon a railroad track.
You shake off the mud, and to her rush it back.

Peeking down at your sneakers, to see how they are,
To your relief, okay...so far.

You see a bus coming, splashing your way.
A little old lady from the far side, you hear her say,

"Stop that bus! Please! Don't let it pass me by!"
You're not sure that you can, but you certainly try.

You jet through traffic, stopped at a red light.
With waving hands, you catch the bus driver's sight.

You help the lady, cross the street.
She smiles at you, she says, "You're so sweet."

You help her up the steps, and on the bus.
"Thank you," she beams.
You say, "I did it for us."

The bus splashes away. A passing truck makes a wave.
You hop behind a hydrant, your sneakers to save.

A man passing by asks, "Are you alright?"
"I suppose I am, my sneakers are still white."

Gutters gurgle, with rising foam.
Enough, you think. I'd better get home.

You leap. You skip. You stumble. you slip.
"OH SNAP!" You exclaim. "This is a trip!"

You dash down a steep hill, you race up your street.
Your eyes scan your house, then inspect your feet.

You're so close to home, yet too far.
Another glance at your sneakers, to see how they are.

Up the brick steps, that lead to your door.
"WHEW!" Home sweet home, fret no more.

The house smells of dinner, Mother is cooking.
She "POPS" from the kitchen.
And "YES, SHE'S LOOKING."

"Your wonders never cease," is the first thing she said.
"There's muck on your shoulders, and mud on your head.
There's dirt in your ears, and mire in your clothes.
Your hands are grubby, and there's grime on your nose."

"My baby's going to come. And my baby's going to go.
But where my baby's been, I'm afraid to know."

"School, where you sent me, is where I have been.
However, there's been adventure, I got myself in."

"But I've tried to do good, I've tried to do right.
I've tried to keep solace, and my sneakers clean and white."

"Look at them, Mom, tell me if you might.
Aren't they white like you like them, and tied neatly tight?"

Mom hugs you lovingly, in spite of the grub.
With a smooch from her smacker, she says,
"NOW! OFF TO THE TUB!"

Visions of your sneakers, dash through your head.
That night as you slumber, upon your cozy bed.

Moon glows through your window; this is what you see.
White sneakers on the carpet, just below me.

Waiting for me, until morning ends the night,

Loyal attachment....."LIGHT BRIGHT."