In search of victuals tasty, rare,
She grocery-shops the upper air–
Then settles, with a grisly mirth,
For something really down-to-earth.
by Ray Romine Tuesday, February 2, 1954
Category: Poems
Ray Romine Poems
Movie-broken
Thoush TV’s fine,
We miss the wags
Whose too-long laughter
Spoils the gags;
Also the guy
Who buys his lunch-
His paper’s rattle;
His popcorn’s crunch.
And where are all
The little boys
Who shout down Westerns
With their noise?
Drop in, dear friends.
Let’s dash and phone
And pop some corn–
We’re movie-lonesome!
by Ray Romine Saturday, July 15, 1950
Mother’s Prayer
Our dear Father in Heaven, I’m praying to Thee,
And a favor I’m asking that’s selfish of me;
Still, I never have asked for the riches of life,
Or the thousand small trifles so dear to a wife;
I have tried not to trouble about little things,
But looked toward the comfort which love for Thee brings.
When Thou took the boys’ father some twelve years ago,
‘Twas the Grace of Thee only that kept us, and so
I shall carry on, trying, whatever ensue–
But: please keep the stars in my front window blue!
Revised 10-11-43
Our dear Father in Heaven, I’m praying to Thee,
Saying “Thank You” for something– it’s selfish of me;
Still, I never have asked for the riches of life,
Or the thousand small trifles so dear to a wife;
I have tried not to trouble about little things,
But looked toward the comfort which love for Thee brings.
When Thou took the boy’s father some twelve years agao,
‘Twas the Grace of Thee only that kep us, and so
This Thanksgiving, O God, I can thank Thee anoew
For keeping the stars in my front window… blue!
by Ray Romine Tuesday, November 17, 1942
Mother Hub
A house is a part of a family;
So are pillows, and bookshelf and sieve;
But a mansion (with moss) would still be a loss
Without mother to make the home live.
There are children, of course, in a family;
Dads have a respectable part;
But regarding the whole, who has whichever role,
It’s mother who gives it the heart.
So let’s us, without fuss, sing her praises;
Quietly (so she can hear!)
Though we call it her day on one Sunday in May,
It’s all hers, all the way, the whole year….
by Ray Romine Monday, January 15, 1951
Mother Advises Daughter
Small spirit, trusting, cheerful, frank–
To everyone but daddy;
For he will scowl and smack and spank,
As though the license had he.
When daddy’s home, sweet, toe the mark:
Put on your best deportment;
Do nothing to ignite his spark–
I’d hide that toy assortment.
I’d greet him daily with a kiss
Both gooey and auspicious–
And he’ll say “What a lovely miss”–
(Or else he’ll be suspicious).
To have your way with daddy-pops,
Be sweet and cheerful comma
And anytime the system flops,
Why, emulate your momma!
It’s pretty awful, yes, my own,
But take him as you find him:
He seems to think, and he alone,
That daughter ought to mind him!
He’s not aware, at least as yet
The over-grown. colossus,
That boys and girls TODAY, my pet,
In truth are their OWN BOSSES!
by Ray Romine Sunday, August 15, 1943
Mosquito
She knows dive-bombingl Long before mere man
Developed it, she brought it from the mud.
With nothing of the playful in her clan,
She lets you know at once she’s out for blood!
by Ray Romine Tuesday, June 9, 1953
Mortgage Note
Our friends are quick to comment on
Our fine new house. It’s plush and manse-ive,
Beautiful and really gone–
And, also one admits, expansive!
by Ray Romine Tuesday, November 18, 1952
Morning Prayer
When new temptations come today
And range themselves across my path–
God, make me mighty with Thy wrath,
And give me strength to turn away.
But if I see one wrong to right–
If one who suffers looks to me,
Then may I turn in sympathy–
To it or him, to stand and fight!
Revised version:
When fierce temptations come to me,
Exciting me to sin,
God, make me mighty with Thy wrath,
And give me strength to follow Thee.
If I can right one wrong today,
If one who suffers looks to me,
For needed strength and sympathy–
Give me Thy power to help, I pray!
by Ray Romine Wednesday, March 27, 1946
Morning After
Oh, girl who graced my dream last night,
I can’t forget your lips and eyes.
Dream-one, please cease
And go in peace,
Or, better yet–materialize!
by Ray Romine Sunday, January 13, 1952
More Than That
A preacher? Yes, he was all of that;
But I didn’t know, til we parted,
That he was so very much more than that,
And where others leave off, he started.
A preacher? A poor, inadequate term
That can never begin to say
The multitude of things he was
In his own inimitable way.
A preacher? He kindled for all of us
A fire we shall always stoke–
That causes the glow which for him will burn
In the hearts of us Salem folk.
(A. Non Emous)
by Ray Romine Thursday, August 24, 1944