I check the spade, I oil, I scrape;
I paint tool handles, not to lose them.
Yes, things are all in A-1 shape,
Except, it could be, I, who’ll use them.
by Ray Romine Monday, April 2, 1951
Category: Poems
Ray Romine Poems
Pillar
She wasn’t exactly pretty,
So I was a little cold;
I didn’t perceive as I turned to leave
That she owned a heart of gold.
There’s a six-by-six in our basement
That isn’t much to see;
But, heaven be praised, till the building is razed,
It’s our priceless guarantee!
by Ray Romine Tuesday, October 15, 1946
Pictures
Pictures take me far away,
Beyond the land of here and now.
Pictures make me smile and say,
“Teach me why and show me how.”
Pictures show, as pages turn,
How much fun it is to learn!
by Ray Romine Friday, January 4, 1952
Picture Window
The neighbors’ framed and clear-cut view
Affords us much amusement too,
For they have found, to their chagrin,
The looking ‘s swell from outside in.
by Ray Romine Sunday, April 1, 1951
Picnic
Here in this quiet cool retreat
I think I shall not overeat.
Altho the sandwiches are big,
I will not emulate the pig.
The baked beans? Yes, they are delicious-
But so are all the other dicious.
Please don’t think I’m acting maddish
If I refuse to touch a radish.
Who knows what hidden malady
May lie in things concocted saladly?
Meatloaf, ma’m? I raise my eyes:
I’ve had my meat thru eating flies.
If you don’t mind, I’ll pass on celery-Too
much can raise heck in one’s belery.
As for the chicken and the noodles,
The smallest helping, please, not oodles.
Three kinds of luscious home-baked cake?
I do not relish tummy-ache.
The pies look grand, the peach, the berry,
But I’ll say No to even cherry.
I beg you, girls, don’t feel rebuffed–
I’d rather Just feel full than stuffed.
Picnics come and picnics go–
But I would stick around, you know.
by Ray Romine Friday, July 8, 1949
Physiology Lesson
My brain is bi-lobed, convolute;
Complex and hemisphered;
So much the text-books tell me,
And I add: quite low-geared.
by Ray Romine Sunday, September 3, 1950
Phono-finish
It isn’t so much that you’ve turned me down,
But rather the fact that it’s all over (town) .
by Ray Romine Wednesday, August 22, 1951
Phone For A Veterinary!
Doc, come quick,
Our dog is sick;
Hell’s broke loose at our house:
Sue’s upset,
Eyes are wet—
Not the dog! Sue’s my spouse!
Rush, Dr. Pill,
Our terrier’s ill;
Family disrupted.
Doggie dear
Is low. I fear
On something vile he supted.
Sure, Doc, but–
Our poor old mutt–
Couldn’t I you, too, be owing?
I HATE the pup,
But fix him up:
Daughter’s overflowing.
So hurry, Doc,
Ol’ fightin’ cock–
How soon can you be over?
Three o’clock?
‘Ray for Doc!
Family’s saved, AND Rover!
by Ray Romine Monday, April 12, 1943
Phlying Phish
One quarter eagle, three-fourths otter,
This creature soars above the water.
I want to bag one! Think how pleasant
To eat a fish that tastes like pheasant.
by Ray Romine Tuesday, November 13, 1951
Phenomenon
Our Sonny combs his hair these days
Sometimes; and, as a rule,
He looks into the mirror
Before he’s off to school.
He walks a bit more patiently
Between our Don’t’s and Do’s;
And mother caught him Friday last
Shining at his shoes.
And thus, ere stubble, double chins,
And falling hair, romance begins.
by Ray Romine Tuesday, July 11, 1950