Category: Poems

Ray Romine Poems

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No Fool Like A Middle-aged Fool

To have been friends with you so long, and fall
In love the hopeless, careless way I did!
Like some tow-headed hairbrained third-grade kid
Who, finding someone at his beck and call
Possessed of back-yard gym or basketball
Decides all suddenly to make a bid
For her. But thus to flip his lid
Is not becoming to my age at all!

Unable, though, to bring myself around
To where some sort of common sense prevails.
Hell-bent on proving Love is Blind, I’ve found
One thought that takes the wind out of my sails:
Which should I do, I wonder, hop in glee–
Or take myself to visit some MD?

by Ray Romine Friday, November 23, 1951

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No Fair Peeking

Unlike fair Apollos and Venus-like sneerers,
I steer clear of lakes, shiny autos and mirrors.
With my face there’s nothing can bring on dejection
As quickly, completely, as sober reflection.

by Ray Romine Saturday, November 24, 1951

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No Destination

My hairs desert me one by one–
Sad blow to him who had a myriad.
They speak of hair as “going back”–
It isn’t. It’s just going period.

by Ray Romine Monday, November 13, 1950

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Ninth Month

A wheeling, brown-black butterfly
Was dropping shadows blossom-high,
As, joyful wings against the sun,
He dodged a flower, chose that one,
And, finding it quite sweet and prime,
He sipped, and tasted summertime.

September authored this display
Which was, however, yesterday.

Today, September wears a frown.
The clouds, all brooding, gray and brown,
Are threatening, ferocious brows
Above a puckered mouth that vows,
With gusty breath, to frost each wing,
Each bud, each leaf, each summer thing.

The green and gold of Summer’s crown
Dissolves before September’s frown.

by Ray Romine Thursday, September 25, 1947

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Nine A.M., December 25

Sonny wears the broadest grin–
The train he wanted fills his stocking;
And note the trance his sister’s in
With the dolly she is rocking.
Mother beams ecstatically
At her perfumes and filmy frills;
And dad smiles automatically
Out from suspenders, ties–and bills.

by Ray Romine Wednesday, July 19, 1950