Selections from Trella Romine's library at Terradise Nature Center
Ray Romine Poems
There are many, many ways, oh Bud,
To gauge how much we miss you;
“Crusader” deadline, though, is near,
So time’s the important issue:
In a word, if they make you, all alone
A squad, you’ll never fail ’em–
For it’s taking ten to fifteen folk
To fill your shoes at Salem!
by Ray Romine Wednesday, April 1, 1942
What would it do to your pretty head
If all the people to whom you’ve said
“Drop in and see us, you really should”
Would?
by Ray Romine Monday, September 18, 1950
Now I see my Christmas shopping ain’t all over, like I thought–
Here’s this after-Christmas SWAPPING what the other fellow bought!
Revised 10/16/1948:
Now I find that all my shopping
Isn’t over, as I’d thought:
Comes the after-Christmas swapping
What the other fellow bought.
by Ray Romine Friday, December 1, 1933
Dear Congressman: your policy
To state takes but a minute:
“Regardless of the merits of
This measure–I’m agin it!”
by Ray Romine Thursday, May 17, 1945
At twenty three my fill I’ve had
Of things on earth both good and bad.
And if there is anything here new,
I’d like to try it–wouldn’t you?
The same old thing the same old way
Sure gets me down day after day.
I’d like to leave’ it all behind,
And go ‘way off somewhere and find
A different life, a brand new game
Where no two days are quite the same.
And then I’d wish me back, I s’pose
The same old rut– the same old clothes.
The same old thing the same old way
Looks better looking back some day!
by Ray Romine Tuesday, January 23, 1934
Vacation they call it!
Look forward? Not I!
The wife’s bought the paint,
And that look’s in her eye.
Both bedrooms? The kitchen?
I joke, I burlesque
(Except over relaxing,
Once back, at a desk).
by Ray Romine Thursday, June 30, 1949