Selections from Trella Romine's library at Terradise Nature Center
Ray Romine Poems
(1st one)
A pedestrian, in the Pre-war days,
Had no car for his labors;
Today, he’s one among the A’s,
Who’s dodging B-card neighbors.
(2nd one)
A pedestrian had, it used to be,
No auto for his labors;
Today he is a “B” or “C”
A-dodging “A-carred” neighbors!
(3rd one)
A pedestrian once was a fellow who had
No car he could show for his labor;
But now he’s a “B” or a “C” who’s not bad
At dodging his “A”-carded neighbor!
by Ray Romine Tuesday, July 13, 1943
A Congressman tired of ignoring
The way cost-of-living is soaring,
Said, “This can’t be inflation
All over the nation–
It’s merely price rises encoring!”
by Ray Romine Friday, January 12, 1951
See the palm trees wave in wild Brazil;
Take the moonlight with a whip-poor-will;
Have your little fling, my darling–still,
You belong to me.
Visit Persian markets in the street;
See the Arctic with its ice and sleet;
But remember, sweetheart, I repeat:
You belong to me.
I wonder how it is, now you’re free.
Maybe, though, you’re missing me–we’ll see.
Watch a Matador in Spain’s Madrid;
Travel rickshaw in a floppy lid;
But wherever, please remember, kid–
You belong to mel
by Ray Romine Friday, October 10, 1952
See the palm trees wave in wild Brazil;
Take the moonlight with a Whip-poor-Will;
Have your little fling, my darling — still,
You belong to me.
Visit Persian markets in the street;
See the Arctic with its ice and sleet;
But remember, sweetheart, I repeat:
You belong to me.
I wonder how it is, now you’re free.
Maybe, though, you’re missing me–we’ll see.
Watch a Matador in Spain’s Madrid;
Travel rickshaw in a floppy lid;
But wherever, please remember, kid–
You belong to me!
by Ray Romine Friday, October 10, 1952
There are only one or two
Things in life I want to do:
Make a pile some easy way,
Starring in the movies, say;
Own a yacht; and travel far
In a huge, new, shining car;
Have some friends, especially folks
Who’ll laugh at my so-funny jokes.
Since they’ll die unrealized,
My wants won’t matter, oversized.
by Ray Romine Saturday, June 17, 1950
“Phone Company looted of thousands by girls dropping coin rolls in bras.” … . News item.
Quarters and big dough, one hears,
Are apt to be found in brassieres,
Which makes it confusing-
Does this mean we’re excusing
The character who, looking, leers??
by Ray Romine Monday, October 2, 1950
I envy people who live in Palaces
Their almost entire absence of callouses.
by Ray Romine Thursday, April 12, 1951
That all things come to him who waits
May be quite true, but I’m
Convinced that my first million bucks
Is taking lots of time!
by Ray Romine Tuesday, June 23, 1953
Since they’re safely at their play,
Mother turns the other way,
Serenely sure of just one thing:
The doubt her next turn-around will bring.
by Ray Romine Wednesday, September 21, 1949
“Phone Company Looted of Thousands by Girls Dropping Coin Rolls in Bras”
…News item.
At one time, a gal who was thrifty
Stuck her dough in her stocking–how nifty!
Today, though, the flank
Is “out” as a bank:
All things are much higher in ’50.
by Ray Romine Friday, October 6, 1950