Selections from Trella Romine's library at Terradise Nature Center
That bird I’m sure I do not know
Turns out, of course, to be a crow.
What’s that that’s brown–wings long and narrow?
Exasperating. English sparrow.
Down there! The water-bird! Oh, shucks.
Mallard. Most plentiful of ducks.
And that one with the purple back’ll
Turn out in time to be a grackle.
Keep looking sharp, and what has wings
Turns out the commonest of things;
But fail just once–avert your eyes–
And miss the rarest thing that flies!
by Ray Romine Saturday, October 13, 1951
My next door neighbor yearly spends
Some sum attracting feathered friends,
While I, with seed, expecting grasses,
Attract his doggoned birds in masses.
by Ray Romine Wednesday, April 25, 1951
The pleas to buy that meet the eye
On all the roads and highways
Need cause no stares–such thoroughfares
Are often known as buyways.
by Ray Romine Saturday, September 24, 1949
My neighbor doesn’t like my dog-
And states the fact with vim.
In turn I do not hate his dog,
But I’m less fond of him:
8-18-49d
(Rev. 7-20-51)
by Ray Romine Thursday, August 18, 1949
I have a little tractor
Painted very red;
I always used to walk to play–
Now I ride instead.
Daddy says it’s somewhat light
To do much work, but Gee,
I think it’s doing quite a lot
To haul just me!
by Ray Romine Wednesday, April 22, 1953
Since traffic jams are what they are,
I sold my antiquated car,
To ride the busses, which I hate;
They’re crowded, smoke-filled, jolting, late.
But taxis now require a buck,
And I hate walking. Look who’s stuck.
by Ray Romine Wednesday, July 11, 1951
We’re told there are a lot of ways
To rest, and free oneself
From tension, worry–these fast days,
And so stay off the shelf.
I’ve tried them all with little gain,
Which prompts me to confess
It takes, to conquer stress and strain,
Too much of strain and stress.
by Ray Romine Friday, July 11, 1952
“How foolish you were,” brings on me
Gales of silent laughter.
How worthwhile such advice would be
Before, instead of after.
or:
“How foolish that was,” said to me
Meets with silent laughter.
How sage such sound advice would be
Before, instead of after.
by Ray Romine Friday, October 12, 1945
God gave His Spirit, guised as trees,
For steps for man’s long climb upgrade:
For homes, for hearth, for ships, for shade,
For inspiration more than these.
by Ray Romine Thursday, November 15, 1951
If you will wear your shorts and slacks
(Sad garments that do not enhance)
Then overlook my caustic cracks–
I’m having fun at your expanse.
by Ray Romine Wednesday, September 10, 1952