Category: Taxes

They tax us for riding, for boating, for flying,
For dancing, for golfing, for eating, for dying,
For going to movies, for fancy night-clubbing,
For reading, for breathing, for swimming or tubbing,
For standing, or lying, or smelling, or seeing;
They tax us for sitting, and doing, and being.
And right at the height of the infamy
They scare us with Pay-as-you-look TV.

by Ray Romine Wednesday, August 22, 1951

I find, with all the dough I’ve made,
And those deductions I have paid,
March fifteenth gives me more than pause
Upon the heels of Santa Claus.
So I, denuded and bereft,
Extend my heart–it’s all that’s left.

by Ray Romine Friday, November 30, 1951

I can’t say it’s exactly
The cause for much thanksgiving,
But taxes have convinced me
I owe the world a living.

by Ray Romine Wednesday, August 29, 1951

Now they heat some homes with sunshine,
There goes one more thing that’s free.
They can’t can it, no, nor ban it,
But they’ll TAX it–wait and see.

by Ray Romine Friday, November 11, 1949

When these are brought up,
I’ve the doggonedest urge
To see so-called “hidden” ones
REALLY submerge!

by Ray Romine Wednesday, June 16, 1954

As a youth my utmost cerebration
Gave me almost no least indication
That the term “‘Ides of March”
Was our skins without starch–
(You and I after taxation).

by Ray Romine Friday, February 9, 1951

It’s not fiifficult to tell a
Nightmare from your income tax;
In the dream, they wake a fella
Just before he gets the axe.

by Ray Romine Thursday, November 1, 1951

Let us continue to handle us
Like humans, in spite of the vandalous
Way some of our Tax-men
Have turned into axe-men–
For when WEREN’T our taxes scandalous?

by Ray Romine Friday, November 16, 1951

Though you are not the type who waxes
Sadistic over income taxes,
Show me if you can, incentive
For being industrious or inventive.
We have a nerve; we’re slightly crazy
Who blame our youth for being lazy!

by Ray Romine Thursday, December 13, 1951

My dough’s being taken,
And it hurts awfully
To have it shaken
From me lawfully.

by Ray Romine Monday, September 26, 1949