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Song of Burn-A-Debt

The home we bought in ’32
Has still a stout and sturdy flue.
The windows fit; the roof is good;
The woodwork’s gum (the joists are wood);
All taxes paid–no law-suits bind it,
And is it shrubbed? Just try and find it!

But now the thing is nearly paid for,
Let’s look and see what we can trade for.
The old house has some lovely traits–
But a mortgage is what fascinates!

by Ray Romine Monday, April 23, 1945

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Soil Analysis

The housewife, aproned, dust-cap girt,
Chases madly after dirt;
Her spouse, back bent in eager toil,
Terms the same stuff garden soil;
To sister, going on sixteen,
It’s something better left unseen;
While hardest hit is Junior; gosh ,
It’s what makes him have to wash!

by Ray Romine Thursday, June 28, 1951

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Please

Dear plumber, Sir, I wait in vain
For you to come unstop my drain: —
You may break the Union rules ,
Make several trips back after tools,
Muddy up the steps and halls ,
Soil the kitchen floor and walls;
Deliberate, let down, relax,
Discuss the war, your income-tax,
The draft, the President, the sheriff–
What harm, old thing? I pay the tariff.
I’ll overlook your sins–I think–
If you’ll but come unplug my sink!

by Ray Romine Wednesday, February 7, 1945

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No Vacancy

No How to Make It book will face
One problem living has inspired:
The way the need for storage space
Stays just ahead of what’s acquired!

by Ray Romine Friday, January 12, 1951