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
