Miss Paula had a baby,
She named her Glennis Lee,
She looked so much like a little fish,
Paula tossed her in the sea.
Glennis swam nimbly to the bottom,
Where she made friends with the whales,
Who taught her all their “whale-ish songs”
And how to grow a tail.
Mister Tom he was a-fishing,
He caught her on his line,
He put her in a gold-fish bowl,
And there she swims just fine.
Paula Lyons, MD
3/21//94
6 Responses
How shocking that MISS Paula had a baby. This poem too is a delight.
Actually, Captain Mort, we found that in our area of Maryland, “Miss” is an honorific that allows a child to address an adult with respect, without using the adult’s surname. So, for example our children called our neighbor, “Miss Carly”, (even though she was married to “Mr. Matt”) instead of “Mrs. Bell”. I think it’s really a cute custom.
Well, what do you know- a poem for Margeaux and one for Glennis
each written in the poetic rhythm of iambic/trochaic/dactylic(you pick)-whatever-ameter,
but without a doubt, a labor of love. (Puma, the loveable Lab, would have said, “I I love them! they’re “DOG-gerel.”
So, here’s a HAIKU, dedicated to the Miss Paula, the poet:
There’s nothing like kids!
They’re designed to give you joy!
Why just one? Have TWO!
Yes, to call my poetry “untutored” would be a kindness! It’s really just awful, but as kids, the girls loved having stuff made up and written about them. Putting modesty aside, I am also responsible for a family classic song, which has already been handed down to the next generation. Next time we speak, I must sing and share with you my grand musical opus, (written to enlist the girls’ cooperation at bathtime) “The Toenail Scrubbing Song.”
Interesting that we used the title of “Miss” for our kids to show respect for close friends and distant relatives. My daughter still uses this with her elderly patients and they love it. Sherry
Yes, I have always thought it was charming! And my older patients also loved it. It has become a habit with me that I have brought to Florida! Our 75-year old reserved, continuously hard-working, live-aboard marina maintenance and repair chief allows me to call him, “Mr. Greg”.