For my family’s Valentine’s Day
I thought I’d make a bouquet
showing our German ancestry
as they crossed the sea.
They departed from Bremen
to seek a new land’s safe haven
on the Sovereign Ship Leipzig:
a two funnel/two mast rig.
In “stearage” the small family came,
Just five with misspelled Geerdts name;
One suitcase each as they came ashore
under Fort McHenry’s watch in Baltimore.
With little more than their love, hope and trust
they paved the way. Happy Valentine’s to us!
I’m wondering if/
someone wants to help me fill/
out my family tree.
She would send me photos/
of tall SoCal tropical trees/
silhouetted in the red sunset;/
dancing in the warm sea breeze.
As if to entice me/
to visit and to stay./
To warm my feet in the sand/
and watch the palm trees sway.
I returned the photo favor/
of a frigid, streaming sunrise:/
A frosted cottonwood silhouetted/
against cold blue mountain skies.
T’was not to tempt her, nor to say I was coldly sad,/
but to remind her to be grateful for the warm beauty she had.
She, dressed in red, said: /
“Save me a dance!” I forgot,/
lost my romance chance.
She didn’t want to dance,
but the tamale took a chance.
Needing to wash her hair,
she met a burrito who didn’t care.
It was just a boogie, not romance.
When the zucchini/
are much too teeny, one should/
water more freely!
He thought it was true/
romance. Then he learned it was/
her and Demerol.
He wondered why he’d /
never had the chance to grasp/
her in a slow dance.
Lucky were the blessed/
few who were privileged to/
enjoy the live view.
Sung to the tune of the Primary song: “I love to see the Temple”.
I’ll park you at the temple;/
I’ll help you find your way./
I’ll give you clear directions,/
and you won’t have to pay!
For the Temple is a holy place;/
It’s great to tour and see./
The parking is all underground… /
And you can get in free!